Science Survival Guide for Homeschooling Moms Who Don’t Feel Like Scientists

For my second segment of teaching tips, I thought I would discuss one of the harder subjects to remember to teach. We all remember to teach Math (perhaps because so many of us dread it?) but Science is easy to forget. 

If the thought of dissecting frogs, memorizing the periodic table, or explaining photosynthesis makes you break out in a cold sweat, take heart: science can be fun, messy, and even enjoyable—without requiring a PhD. I have to admit, I enjoy the dissections, but my kids don't enjoy it quite as much. But here’s how to survive (and maybe even thrive) teaching science at home.

1. Science is Curiosity, Not Perfection

You don’t need to know all the answers. Modeling curiosity is the secret sauce. Say things like, “I wonder what will happen if…?” or “Let’s find out together!”—your kids learn that exploration is more important than correctness. Bonus: you don’t have to Google everything in front of them. Although if you find a really neat caterpillar, it is absolutely fine to use Google to learn about it right in that moment. 

2. Hands-On Experiments Are Your Lifesaver

Forget dry textbooks. Simple experiments bring science to life and keep everyone engaged. Baking soda volcanoes (just be mindful that Dad may use too much baking soda and stain the ceiling!), floating eggs, or rainbow in a glass—all these are easy, cheap, and messy enough to make learning memorable. And yes, the mess can double as a reason to laugh together.

3. Turn Everyday Life into a Lab

Science isn’t confined to a classroom. Cooking is chemistry, gardening is biology, and laundry is physics (yes, gravity is real when socks fly in the dryer). Observing clouds, birds, or even ants teaches kids to notice patterns and ask questions. Plus, it’s a chance to get fresh air without leaving your backyard.

4. Use Videos, Apps, and Virtual Field Trips

Not a scientist? No problem. YouTube, science apps, and virtual museum tours let your kids explore complex topics with friendly guides. You can “co-pilot” the lesson without feeling like you’re leading a lecture you barely remember from school. A day trip to the local museum or STEM center can be an amazing learning opportunity. 

5. Short Bursts Beat Long Lectures

Science experiments can be exhausting for both kids and parents. Fifteen to twenty-minute sessions—especially for younger kids—keep focus high and frustration low. The bonus: you can sneak in a coffee break while the experiment “runs” itself (think vinegar baking soda reactions or a seed sprouting in a cup).

6. Encourage Questions (Even the Silly Ones)

Science thrives on questions. “Why is the sky blue?” “Why do cats purr?” “Why can’t I eat my science textbook?” Answer some, investigate others, and occasionally laugh at the ridiculousness. Modeling curiosity beats memorization every time. Teach your children to search for answers, and they'll be able to learn anything.

7. Celebrate Small Wins

Maybe your 4th grader finally grasps the water cycle, or your 7th grader builds a working simple machine. Celebrate it! Science is cumulative—small discoveries lead to big understanding, and confidence grows faster than a fast-germinating bean.

8. Keep Humor and Flexibility Front and Center

Science doesn’t always go as planned. Explosions might be bigger than intended, plants might not sprout, or your toddler may dump the experiment all over the floor. Laugh, reset, and remember: the goal is learning, not perfection.

Bonus Tip: Keep a “Science Survival Kit” handy—paper towels, goggles, a sense of humor, and maybe coffee for the parent. Experiments are more fun when you’re prepared for anything (including accidental eruptions).

Math Survival Guide for Homeschooling Moms Who Don’t Like Math

I thought I'd switch things up a big and offer some tips and tricks from my 15 years of experience teaching every subject. Today, I thought I'd focus on one of the hardest subjects for most homeschool moms and children. 

Let’s face it: if your feelings about math are anywhere from meh to avoid-at-all-costs, teaching it to your kids can feel like trying to wrestle an octopus while blindfolded. But fear not—there are strategies to survive (and maybe even enjoy) math time.

1. Embrace the “Fake It Till You Get It” Approach

You don’t have to be a math genius. Showing your child how to think through a problem—asking questions like, “Hmm, what do you notice here?” or “What happens if we try this?”—is often more valuable than knowing the answer yourself. Curiosity counts for more than calculation skills.

2. Make Math Hands-On

Manipulatives are your best friends: blocks, beads, coins, or even pasta noodles (bonus points for coloring them with food coloring). Turning abstract problems into physical objects helps kids see the math—and gives you a break from the anxiety of symbols and numbers. Bonus: your 2-year-old can join in by “counting” the pasta.

3. Use Real-Life Scenarios

Cooking, shopping, measuring for home projects, or even splitting up chores can become impromptu math lessons. Who knew cutting a cake could teach fractions? Or figuring out how many apples to buy for a week could teach multiplication? This also helps you avoid the dreaded, “Why do I need this anyway?” question.

4. Set a Timer (for You and Them)

Short, focused bursts of math—say, 15–20 minutes—are often more effective than marathon sessions. It keeps frustration low and attention high. Plus, it’s easier for you to survive 15 minutes of math than an hour-long algebra showdown.

5. Make Mistakes Together

Don’t be afraid to show your kids that you get it wrong sometimes. Solving a problem together after a “Oops!” moment models perseverance and shows that math is about thinking, not perfection. And let’s be honest: it gives you moral permission to breathe out a little sigh of relief.

6. Use Apps, Videos, and Games

Tech can be your best ally. Interactive apps, YouTube math tutorials, and educational games can take some pressure off you. You don’t have to know everything if your child can get some instruction from a friendly digital teacher.

7. Keep It Light and Humorous

Math can be tense, but a little humor goes a long way. Make up funny word problems, silly mnemonics, or celebrate “math victories” with a little dance or snack. Laughter makes learning stick and keeps the dread at bay.

8. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

Your goal isn’t to turn yourself or your kids into mathematicians overnight. Celebrate small wins: mastering multiplication tables, completing a tricky problem, or even just approaching math without tears. Consistent effort beats instant mastery every time.

Bonus tip: Keep a “Math Emergency Kit” nearby—chocolate, coffee, and maybe a fidget toy for both you and the kids. Math doesn’t have to be fun, but survival is non-negotiable.

The Joys, Chaos, and Occasional Hunger of Homeschooling

Homeschooling isn’t for the faint of heart—or for anyone who likes predictable schedules. Speaking from the trenches as a mom of seven (yes, seven!) children ranging from a college student to a spirited two-year-old, I can tell you it’s as rewarding as it is… chaotic.

Let’s start with the reality: motivation isn’t always intrinsic. Some days, my high schooler is reading Shakespeare with the enthusiasm of a cat at bath time, while my 8th grader would rather debate the philosophy of snacks than algebra. And don’t get me started on the 4th grader, whose attitude sometimes screams, “Why do I need to learn this now when I could be building a Lego empire?”

Then there’s supervision. Imagine trying to help with fractions while refereeing an argument about whose turn it is to feed the chickens, or making sure the toddler isn’t attempting to “help” by painting the dog with washable markers. Multitasking is a full-time sport!

And somewhere in all of this, meals happen… sort of. One particularly memorable day, I was so engrossed in helping my dual-enrolled high schooler finish a college essay while keeping the younger kids from turning the living room into a ball pit that I didn’t even realize I hadn’t eaten breakfast—or lunch—until almost 2 PM. Let me tell you, nothing motivates you quite like realizing you’re dangerously close to hanger while trying to explain the Pythagorean theorem for the fourth time.

Here’s the thing: homeschooling demands flexibility. Schedules are guidelines, not laws. You know, kind of like parley -- from Pirates of the Caribbean. Sometimes math gets pushed aside for a spontaneous science experiment; sometimes the toddler insists on “reading time” in the middle of a history lesson. But—and this is the secret sauce—flexibility only works if paired with consistency. Kids need to know there are expectations, even if the timeline wiggles like a garden hose in summer.

At the end of the day, homeschooling is a balancing act of patience, creativity, and humor. You’ll deal with eye rolls, procrastination, and “I’m done!” moments. You’ll need to adapt lessons to fit moods, energy levels, and yes, the occasional forgotten lunch. But you’ll also witness small victories—a lightbulb moment during a science experiment, a perfect paragraph, a math problem solved without tears—and these are worth every chaotic minute.

So, to my fellow homeschool warriors: give yourself grace, laugh often, and maybe keep a secret snack stash of Snickers. You’ll need it.

Making the First Day of Homeschool Special: Tips from a Mom of 7

 

Fifteen years of homeschooling, seven kids, and countless “first days of school” later, I’ve learned one thing for sure: the magic of that first day really matters. Whether your kids are starting college, high school, middle school, or still teetering around with a juice box in hand, the beginning of a new school year sets the tone. It doesn’t have to be Pinterest-perfect—it just has to be yours.

Here are some of my tried-and-true tips to make your homeschool first day special:

1. Do a Little “Back-to-School” Shopping

Yes, even homeschoolers love fresh pencils, crisp notebooks, and the allure of a brand-new pack of crayons (that, let’s be honest, will be broken within a week). Going shopping a week or two before the school year not only gets everyone excited but also helps them feel like they’re part of something bigger. I’ve had teens who rolled their eyes at me but still secretly got a thrill picking out their own pens or notebooks. Trust me—it matters. 

Some years, I've had the kids pick colors and a generic theme (like fairies), and I've surprised them with a gift box of school supplies based on their choices. Other years, I've taken each child shopping independently, having lunch out, and making it an extra-special day. Recently, we've done tandem shopping, with two children shopping with mom and having lunch. 

2. Pick a Theme for the Year

Some years, our homeschool has launched from Hogwarts or a Dr. Seuss book. Other years, we’ve had a superhero academy vibe or a forest and fairy theme. Once, we leaned into a bookish theme and pretended our home library was the school’s central hub. My kids LOVED the book Red Sails to Capri and our entire classroom was decorated with boats and sails leading to cave/cavern. Even now they talk about how fun that school year was and we revisit that book as a family every few years. 

A theme doesn’t have to mean elaborate costumes (though, bonus points if you can convince a teenager to wear a cape). It’s just about setting a tone—something fun to give your year a unique flavor. Letting the kids have a say in this makes a huge difference. Especially as they get older.

3. Begin with Prayer

In our home, we always pause on that first morning to ask God’s blessing over our year. A simple prayer—something like, “Lord, thank You for this new school year, for the chance to learn together, and for the patience we’ll surely need. Bless our minds, our hands, and our hearts.” Then we pray this (or something like it) every morning. It grounds us, reminds us what’s most important, and helps center even the busiest, most distracted mornings. Some years, we work on memorizing new prayers; others, we focus on different Bible passages. Whatever it is, I let the kids have a voice because when they're invested in it, amazing things happen.

4. Build a Schedule—But Hold It Loosely

Schedules are sanity-savers. I’ve learned my kids thrive when they know what to expect: math after breakfast, reading mid-morning, chores before lunch. But here’s the kicker: hold it loosely. Real life will happen. The toddler will climb onto the table during spelling. Someone will spill juice on their math book. Your teen will ask an oddly philosophical question at the most inconvenient time (consider it “critical thinking” practice.) Flexibility is just as important as structure—don’t forget to give yourself grace.

We have an "ideal" schedule and then the "real" schedule. There are things we want to incorporate into our homeschool day and things we need to incorporate into our day. The trick is to have the flexibility to do both and the serenity to recognize that it might not all happen every day. But this is kingdom work, and tomorrow is always another day. 

5. Make it Festive

The first day deserves a little extra sparkle. Maybe it’s pancakes with whipped cream and strawberries for breakfast, or a picnic in the backyard for lunch. Maybe you hand out “school year survival kits” with snacks and silly erasers. We’ve even had first-day scavenger hunts where the kids had to find their new supplies. Whatever it is, let the day feel joyful—it’s the memory they’ll carry, not whether you got through Lesson 1 in the math book. 

6. Celebrate the Wins, Big and Small

At the end of the first day, we often circle back together to share what we’re excited about this year. Sometimes the answers are heartfelt (“I want to read more books about history”), and sometimes they’re hysterical (“I’m excited for snack time every day”). Both count. One year, we had a Bible program that incorporated a weekly or daily snack -- Bible was EVERYONE'S favorite subject for the entire school year. 

A Word of Encouragement

If you’re anything like me, the temptation is to measure your success by how smoothly things go or how well the kids do on their assessments each year is strong. Here’s the truth: some years will start with a bang, others with a whimper, and most with a mix of both. But the first day is less about perfection and more about planting seeds of joy, faith, and curiosity.

So go forth, homeschool mama (or dad)! Grab those crayons, say that prayer, laugh when the toddler eats the glue stick, (avoid the locking pencil boxes--I'll explain later), and remember—you’ve got this.

Dropping Our First Child off at College

 Letting Go, Leaning In

Yesterday, I did something that, over the years of homeschooling, I wasn't sure was possible: I dropped my firstborn off at college. My Asher. The boy who once believed a hanger was a medieval weapon, and would run through the house vanquishing dragons with it. The boy that used to leave Lego kingdoms in every corner of the house is now three hours away with a full size kitchen, fridge, a desktop, and a newly acquired air of independence.

The drive there was long, like a drawn-out drumroll before a big reveal. Only my oldest and my youngest came along for the ride—a sort of bookend blessing. The youngest chattered cheerfully before dozing off, oblivious to the seismic shift happening in my mother-heart, while the oldest sat steady beside him, equal parts excitement and nerves, fiddling with his water bottle like it contained the courage he needed. My husband, driving, and finding a random assortment of innocuous subjects to talk about to help keep our minds off this huge milestone. 

When we arrived, I braced myself for awkward introductions and a nervous, homesick son. Instead, Asher dove in headfirst. Within hours of our leaving, he was hugging the school mascot and finding his way to the local church. Not only that—he showed up to the church picnic on Sunday. I should have known he'd participate in the church's fundraising auction this first weekend. He loves God and the church, and no matter where he's at, he knows he can feel at home there. My fears of him holing up in his dorm, surviving on Pop-Tarts and YouTube, vanished quicker than my gas tank on the return trip.

But oh, that return trip. The drive back was quieter. The youngest eventually fell back asleep, and We were left with all those thoughts that haunt parents when their child is out facing the world alone—thoughts that came in waves of pride and pangs of parting. There’s a bittersweetness to parenthood they don’t tell you about at the baby shower. You spend years teaching them to walk, then years teaching them to run toward good things. And when they finally sprint into their own future, your heart cheers and breaks in the same breath.

I’m thrilled for him, truly. He’s learning to cook his own meals (though I’m fairly certain his “culinary repertoire” currently consists of chili, ramen, and quesadillas). He’s making friends, finding faith-filled community, and fumbling forward with the kind of wide-eyed wonder I had once when I left home.

Still, as we walked to the car, I felt the ghost of his toddler hand in mine as I held his baby brother's hand, the echo of his teenage laughter bouncing off the minivan windows, the sudden strangeness of one less place set at the table, one less necessary seat in the van.

Every mother knows this feeling—the mixture of mourning and marvel, of fear and faith. We worry: Will he remember to eat? Will he lock his dorm door at night? Will he know that even when the world feels overwhelming, he can always call home?

I suppose that’s the secret of sending a child off to college. You don’t stop being a mother; you simply become a quieter one. As tempting as it is to call and check in each morning and evening, I'm not. I want him to have his space, to develop new relationships and to grow in ways he simply can't at home. I'll remian a cheerleader from afar. A prayer warrior in the wings. A three-hour drive away, but always, always close.

And so, I’ll keep cheering. I’ll keep praying. And when he comes home at Thanksgiving with a duffel bag full of laundry and stories about his suitemates, I’ll be waiting—with open arms, as stocked a fridge as we ever have with six other kiddos at home, and maybe, just maybe, his favorite meal.

Navigating Dual Enrollment for Homeschoolers

One of the benefits of attending public school is the ability to take college courses while still enrolled in High School. Students are able to earn college credit while simultaneously completing their high school graduation requirements. The tuition costs are deferred to the school district, and high schoolers are able to take up to two classes a semester after completion of at least one high school semester.

But, can homeschoolers dual-enroll?

YES! Homeschoolers are able to enroll in college classes once they are 15 years old (this may change depending on the college or university they are attending) and have successfully completed one semester of high school (9th grade) in their homeschool curriculum. Some school districts will allow homeschooled students to register for dual enrollment with them, but this is not a federal requirement. Unfortunately, you may need to absorb the tuition costs personally. 

Where do we begin?

Registering your high schooler for dual enrollment is a bit of a process. Once you've selected a college, you can begin by reaching out to the registration or enrollment department. Some colleges have a specific form that they require the student, teacher/counselor, and principal to complete, along with their traditional application, and most require your student to complete the Accuplacer test. As homeschoolers, you may need to pay the application fee for your student, though many colleges will waive this fee for high schoolers. 

Once you've completed the application and dual-enrollment forms, the college will require high school transcripts. As homeschoolers, our transcripts might look slightly different from the public school system, but they should include any courses your student has completed in high school, their final grade in each course, semester GPA, and overall GPA. You can find transcript samples and templates on websites like Time4Learning, Schoolhouse Teachers, and even within your Microsoft Word program. 

Some colleges require you to submit all this information with the application, whereas others will send you a request for documentation once they have accepted your student. Generally, your student will need to complete the Accuplacer test after the college has accepted their application and has continued with student enrollment. The Accuplacer test demonstrates student readiness for college. It's essential to check the college's website for its specific process. 

Do we fill out a FASFA?

No. Because your student is still in high school, they are not generally eligible for financial aid, like Federal Pell Grants or Federal Student Loans, which are primarily for students pursuing a degree or certificate program. Even though they can earn college credits, they are still high school students. If your school district allows your student to dual-enroll through them, the cost of tuition is covered by the district, but if not, there are other options to help with the cost. 

While your high school student may not be eligible for federal student aid, they can still apply for public and private scholarships and grants offered by the college or other state programs. It's important to keep this in mind, so you have time to complete the application process before your student's first college semester begins. The college financial aid department is a valuable resource for helping you navigate this process. 

But is it necessary?

Well, that depends. 

One thing I love about the homeschooling community is the acceptance of different ideas and perspectives. Some families focus on skill-building, others focus on character development, and still others focus on STEM. The goal of all homeschooling parents is to ensure their children have the best possible education and opportunities to excel. We want the best for our children and their futures. For some kids, that means certifications and vocational programs. For others, that might look like AP courses, STEM, dual-enrollment, or extracurricular activities. 

In our home, our children's lifelong happiness is essential. We want them to be kind, loving, & generous people who are willing to help their neighbors. But we also want them to feel fulfilled in their religious life and their career. Lofty goals, we know! Before high school graduation, we want each of them to know how to play an instrument (but what instrument is entirely their choice), we want them to have some kind of certificate to fall back on (again, entirely their choice), and we want them to understand how to budget their finances. So, for us, it is entirely dependent on our children if they want to pursue dual enrollment, sports, or other extracurricular activities. Still, we will encourage them to try at least once. 

College? Homeschooler's Can't Get into a College!

Our oldest just graduated high school and we've been navigating college applications, testing, enrollment, and FAFSA. Here's what we've learned: 

Can Homeschoolers go to College?

Absolutely! Homeschoolers can thrive in the college setting. According to HSLDA, a review of several independent studies demonstrates that homeschoolers score above and beyond their public schooled peers of like age. That means that homeschoolers might actually have an easier time in college than public and private school students!

What do I need to do to ensure my homeschooler can go to college???

As parents, the best thing we can do is provide our children with the best possible education. If we support them in pursuing their interests throughout their educational journey, they will generally do the rest. But, that doesn't mean we are "off the hook" so to speak. We need to do our research. Each college and university will have different requirements, but ALL will require your homeschooler's high school transcripts. Scary words, I know! But they're actually not that difficult to create. 

First, remember that you should keep detailed records of what you study!

I recommend starting to keep careful records when your child reaches Seventh or Eighth grade. This will give you time to practice with different programs or techniques. Some homeschool programs include tracking software and templates. Schoolhouse Teachers, for example, has AppleCore included in your subscription. Applecore will allow you to create your transcripts easily, and you can keep track of grades, activities, field trips, and attendance. Time4Learning also provides a transcript template and keeps track of your students hours of study and grades. Some parents utilize a physical gradebook whereas others create an Excel spreadsheet. The important thing is that you keep track! You state's education website is a great source, too. 

How do you determine credits? One high school credit equals about 120-180 hours of instruction. That's about 1 hour a day, five days a week, throughout the school year. If your student attends a co-op or takes a course outside of your home, you can still award credit for these activities, and partial credits are completely normal. Most states have a minimum number of credits to meet graduation requirements. In the United States, your student will need 18-24 credits to graduate (you'll want to check your state guidelines). 

But wait...isn't there testing? What happened to the SAT & ACT?

Yes, your student will need to take some kind of standardized test to enroll in college courses. Many local high schools will allow your homeschooler to take the ACT/SAT with their 10th-12th graders. Call the office to find out when they offer the test and see if they'll let your student jump in! Another option is to call a local testing center at a community college to see if they proctor one of these exams. They will usually let you set up a time to come and take the examination. Our graduate opted not to take the SAT/ACT and instead chose to take the Accuplacer test. This test is taken at the local community college or university and is proctored in their testing center. In our case, the test was taken on a computer. If the college or university your child wants to attend isn't nearby, no problem! The testing school will send the results to your selected college or university. Also, if your student fails a specific portion of the exam, they can retake just that portion for around $5. 

The long and short of it is that yes, your homeschooled graduate can attend any college or university they want. Filling out your FAFSA is pretty much the same as it is for a public school student, and yes, your student can qualify for Scholarships, Grants, and Student loans. There is definitely a learning curve when navigating the application process, but it is not much different than it was when I navigated it as a newly graduated public schooler. Don't let fear that your student can't get into a good college stop you from homeschooling through high school. Many of the best colleges even prefer and seek out homeschooled students!