Ideas for Keeping in Touch with Long Distance Relatives

in touch
  We moved to South Korea when Clarissa was eighteen months old. I felt bad taking the only grandbaby on both sides to the other side of the world. But I also knew that there were things that I could do to help Clarissa keep in touch with her extended family. Care PackagesI hang up
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What I Wish I Would Have Learned Before I Began Homeschooling – Part Three: Boundaries with Ourselves

homeschool
  I previously shared with you some of the lessons I have been learning about how setting boundaries with our children and with others can help us homeschool more effectively. However, sometimes the biggest boundary conflict does not come from without; it comes from within. Have you ever felt like your homeschool day just “gets
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3 Lifelong Habits – The Habit of Obedience

obedience
  “Mom! Joleen stole something from the store,” yelled my older brother. My heart thundered in my five-year-old chest. I knew I was in trouble and would have to make it right. The funny thing is that despite a few isolated incidents, I was an obedient child. So why did I steal a pink bouncy
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What I Wish I Would Have Learned Before I Began Homeschooling – Part Two: Boundaries With Others

homeschool
  Last month, I wrote about the challenge of setting boundaries with my children and how important that is to homeschooling effectively. Another area where it is helpful to learn and apply appropriate boundaries is with other adults in your life. One of the ways that many homeschoolers face an invasion of boundaries is unsolicited
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Family Fitness

fitness
  Many would agree, and say, that they believe fitness is good for their health and well-being; but only about half of us exercise three or more days a week. Fitness increases lung capacity, muscle tone, and blood flow. It stimulates your brain, sharpens listening skills, and improves problem-solving skills. Fitness delays age-associated memory loss.
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Give Your Kids Unstructured Social Time and Watch Their Ability to Connect With Others Flourish

social time
  Socialization and Human Connection are not Synonymous Moving from a small town to a big city changed what kinds of activities were available to us as homeschoolers. Where we came from, the only things available were unstructured playdates and mom’s coffee nights. It was wonderful. Moving to a big city meant there were so
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A Dad’s Role in Homeschooling

  When I was an elementary school teacher, the school district set the curriculum and pacing guide. As a homeschool mom, the idea of planning my daughter’s curriculum was daunting, at first. I thought about what I wanted Clarissa to learn before she graduated from our household. I asked my husband, Tim, what he thought
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Three Thoughts on Balancing Relationships & To-Do Lists – Part Two

relationships
  Do you ever feel like you’re on a see-saw of choosing between relationships or productivity? As we lean on the Holy Spirit to teach us how to cherish our relationships, even as we complete housework, homeschooling, and other work commitments, here are three thoughts to bear in mind: Liberation From Guilt to Love This
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