Not Nice Spice
There are some people the world just needs more of. Without a doubt that’s Ana. She moves without hesitation. She puts herself forward and knows that her steps have power. Of course, I don’t actually know her—thanks for the intro Insta! Earlier this year, long after turning 30, I leapt into Instagram and realized how old I truly am (we’re talking Granny status over here). But as superficial as social media can lend itself there are accounts rendering themselves completely raw and authentic. Ana’s account is just that. I was merely seeking out modern homeschool mamas and found an account that spits truth spiritually, is relevant on health and wellness, homesteading, marriage and family, and a thousand things in between. On the daily you can grab these bits and give yourself a boost. I was so grateful that she joined the “Homeschool How To” series and gave us a glimpse at her school and family setup. Follow her on Instagram (@shefoundgrace) to catch homeschool resources, essential oil tips from Young Living (@shefoundnaturals), authentic Mexican cooking, starting a homestead from the ground up, and the grit of marriage (thank God for a Christian who talks about sex!). The best part?! She sells organic goodness for your whole family Elderberry Kits & Detox Bath Kits! They make the perfect Christmas stocking stuffers or thoughtful gifts for neighbors and loved ones. DM her for updated pricing and info on these goodies!!! Q: Can you give me a little of your homeschool background? A: I'm Ana Nelson, a mama of 4. This year will mark almost 4 years on our homeschool journey and it's been challenging but beautiful. Let's get to some questions answered for you. I have an 11 year old in sixth grade, a 9 year old in fourth grade, a pre-K son who's 2 and we have a 6 month old in "Nursing School." I have a blog post you can read here on why we chose homeschooling, but in short my husband's health lead us to this, and a conviction from God. My husband came to me with the idea and I was the one hesitant to homeschool. Q: What are some of the highs and lows of teaching your children? A: If you ask my kiddos if they like homeschooling they will tell you they love it! At least that's what they tell me! One, of many things that I cherish about homeschooling is being able to answer any questions my children are confused about. From sex to multiplications, I'm their source. Honestly, my personal biggest stressor is making the curriculum the leader and not a god. I have to be ok with not always finishing a lesson. Q: What is your schooling environment like? A: Our family dinning table is our sweet spot for learning. Though we've had a WHOLE room for school, we always come back to the dinning table. We have a rolling bin where we put out the curriculum for each child. This year will be our very first year joining a co-op. It took me a while because to me the relationships within our walls are more important to me than those outside. Once I see a sense of love and understanding for one another then we can venture outside. Family relationships are very important to me. Q: How do you arrange your lessons? A: When I first started homeschooling I had a schedule, neat and followed. Then we added a toddler and I quickly realized… I need another plan. Then we added another baby. So we've taken the approach of starting slow and getting through as much as we can. No schedule, just a checklist. The beautiful thing about Homeschooling is that you get to choose what's best for your kiddos. When it comes to technology I believe they should be up to date on the basics of how to use a computer and such. However that's not my main focus, though I think Audible Books are genius! Also, library cards— use them! I read the book lists and review them on Common Sense Media. We live an hour from everything so we do music lessons at home. I don't like long term commitments so sports aren't that important to me at this moment, but if my kiddos want to? Sure! However, they have not. Q: What sage advice can you leave new homeschoolers with? A: If I could change an aspect of our homeschooling experience, it would be that I wish we had done it from the very start! One thing I wish I would have known about homeschooling before staring is how messy a house can get. Especially for a neat-freak like myself. That was a hard lesson for me. But if I could give anyone a piece of advice it would be to believe you CAN! You ARE smart enough! My ah-ha! moment was when I realized that bringing a smile to my kiddos during lessons cheers them up— smile mama! And always pray, pray, and chill out. Have fun!
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Kate FrancesWhen you don't know what else to do, then it's time to write. Then write a little while longer for good measure. Archives
February 2020
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