Many parents ask me, "LaVonda, how do you shop for groceries when you have such a large number of people in your family?" My answer is always a giggle. I take quite a bit of pride in my 21 years of shopping for groceries for my family. In those 21 years, I've couponed, compared prices, used price-match at Wal-Mart, and scoured sale ads looking for the "best" deal. But what I really learned through those 21 years is this...

​You’ve sat down as a family and weighed the finances. You’ve applied for scholarships, grants, and perhaps student loans. College begins in just a few short weeks and your adult child is venturing to the dorm or an apartment on campus, but what in the world should they take with them?

Since I’ve never lived on campus, it would be asinine for me to just pull some stuff out of the air on what you should consider packing, so I’ve interviewed a few college students and asked what their “must haves” were while living on campus. They were more than helpful in sharing their thoughts.
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While they admitted to using an online search for a list of things to take with them, they agreed that some of the smaller things not listed online would have made their transition easier.
Here are the top 10 items thirteen college students (8 female, 5 male) say they wish they had taken with them during their first semester. 

     Well, well, well… Your baby has up and graduated high school and perhaps they are looking at careers and trying to decide if college is the right choice, or if a trade school is more to their liking. Either are great ways to jumpstart their independence as they run, walk, gallop, and for a few; trip headfirst into the real world. But let’s face it. College seems to be where all the attention is now days. 

Dear Readers, 
This must undoubtedly be the "week of negatives" for my Facebook and Twitter feeds. I've seen posts dismissing the use of "fingers" for counting, eliminating quality family time for the sake of "getting work done", and *deep breath* "reasons why kids are acting out now more than ever and ways to avoid that idle time by giving them more work because more work means more learning and everyone wants to learn".... 

What the hiccups, man?!

Folks, there are reasons why I BLOG and then there are REASONS why I blog. Today's post is very much a REASON! 

Hang on to your hats, ladies and gents -- this one's a whopper! 
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Hello Readers, 

It's nearly bedtime and something continues to weigh on my mind. No, it's not the million and one things I need to do before our homeschool class starts on Monday. And it's certainly not the thesis I need to be working on. It's not even the mountain of household chores that I rediculously put off today in order to Netflix and nap. 

It's the bothersome idea that I'm not good enough. Not good enough for my children. Not good enough as a teacher. Not good enough as a homeschool parent. You see, all day long I've been thinking about a post I saw on a facebook group. The comment was something along the lines of "...surrounded by doubt and negativity from outsiders on the choice to homeschool". I immediately thought of a woman just holding her head in her hands, feeling as though the world was out to get her. 

While I've only had to argue with myself when thoughts like these pop into my head, I was caught off guard by the comment and after reading her tearful pleas for support, I started thinking of how I would approach the issue. 

​Then it occurred to me. 

Hello Readers, 

This week, we continue our series on Hard Truths. So far, we have looked at the ramifications of disorganization and eluded to the notion that indeed, a well-oiled machine doth make for easy work. However, personal health should always take precedence in all aspects. Afterall, what good is an organized home and homeschool, if you are too ill to appreciate it? 

But it's more than just physical health. Mental and emotional health are to be included if we are going to talk hard and true about health. A person can have good health but still be unwell. Moreover, our support systems (friends, family, and spouse) are also important in our wellness. You can read my blog about cultivating and nurturing friendships here. But what happens when those friendships, family relationships, or even our relationship with our spouse begins to suffer, as life grabs ahold of us. 

​Then what?  

Hello Readers, 

Imagine your perfect homeschool day. You've prepped your lessons, you've brewed your coffee, and if you're really on top of your game, you've even surfed the web for a few minutes and came across your favorite blogger (me, right?)! Your kids are getting along, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping and you could almost hear the Hallelujah chorus (or something akin to Cinderella and her animal helpers). Yes, all is right with the world. 

​Then it happens!

However, I'm a realist and I hope to be brutally honest with you what I've found that works... and what doesn't. ​To start this series, this week I'll focus on organization. Keep in mind yesterday's post about easing into your day and removing pressure. Part of removing pressure is keeping a realistic set of goals, maintaining flexibility, and having a general order. 

Hello Readers, 

Happy New Year! There is something surreal about starting a new year. A new wall calendar, free of scheduled events is almost euphoric for a busy family, as you dream of things to do on all the days ahead. But sometimes, it can feel maddening as you try to fill those days up with all sorts of learning trips and events. 

But there is something to be said about time and pressure that you may not have considered.

​Hello Readers!

I cannot believe it is nearly 2019. A lot of changes are heading this way for our family and I’ll share them in the coming posts, but for now, I want to really focus on starting the last leg of the school year with encouragement, strength, and focus. Something our family has surely lost sight of and desperately needs to regain. I’m sure you could use some of those positive vibes as well!
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I’ll start this blog by saying this little disclaimer: in no way does “my way” equal the “best way”. Each parent has their own hardships and choices to make regarding their family. But I would like to share with you something I’ve learned very quickly, but unfortunately, not quick enough: technology and the “time suck”.