I'm Allison. I am so happy to be a homemaker, wife, and mother to four sweet babies. I am a Classical, Christian, homeschooling mom too! I pull a lot of inspiration from the Charlotte Mason and Waldorf education methods. I love cooking, baking, cleaning, gardening, and working out. My dream is to someday soon, have my own little farm with chickens, goats, and huge gardens full of fruits and vegetables. I want to can foods, make our own jams, soap, and candles. I dream of our very own little homestead. I enjoy creating seasonal and everyday traditions with my family. But most of all, I want to give my children plenty of time to play, to experience the joy and wonder of childhood, and just be little.
My husband is an amazing man and the most wonderful father. He is honorable and hard working. He has his doctorate in Educational Leadership and is a professor at a nearby university. I am so proud of him, and I love him with all of my heart!
- Audrey, our "Cutie Pie", is 9 years old and in third grade. She is a very emotional little girl. She laughs really big and cries really big too. She is just so tender-hearted! She always wants to do everything just perfectly. She loves rainbows, flowers, and butterflies. Her favorite thing is My Little Ponies. She loves to do dance!
Ethan, our "Little Guy", is 7 years old. He is so easy going and agreeable. He loves to run and jump around. He is completely sweet and a little sensitive. He loves to play and never, ever wants to stop for anything. He brings his sword with him wherever he goes. He loves knights, dragons, dinosaurs, and Legos.
Sophie Rae is 4 years old now. She is the most energetic child we've ever known. She wants to try to do everything by herself. She absolutely loves to dance and sing and swim.
Ava Claire is our sweet little baby girl! She is already 20 months old! She is the happiest baby in the world. She smiles and laughs all the time. She is so kissable and hugable. She loves to cuddle too. She loves to dance to music, sing, and play with bubbles.
Why We Choose to Homeschool
How a family chooses to educate their children is such an important and personal decision. There are many different choices out there, and many good reasons to choose one way over another. I feel that each family has to make the decision that is best for their children. So... here are some of the reasons homeschooling is the best choice for our family right now.
1. Time to Play and Just be Little- Children need time to imagine, pretend, explore, and play freely. After all, this is how children learn best! I tell my children all the time that their job is to "play". But two 15 minute recess times a day (if that) is just not enough. Plus, during the school day children typically sit at their desks doing work and then are sent home with an hour or more of homework every night. Add to that, after-school activities and dinner. How much time is their for true, free play? We make time for play throughout our day at home. We are able to spend at least an hour playing outside every day. We also set aside another hour for uninterrupted free play inside every day.
2. Family Togetherness- As a homeschooling family, we are able to spend so much time together. We are learning, growing, working, and playing together. This strengthens our family. In today's rushed and distracted world, so many families do not spend very much quality time together due to work, school, after-school activities, and all the other distractions of phones, computers, and TV. Our children need our time and attention more than anything else. After all, they will be growing up all too soon. Our home and school lives are one. My children will spend their days with me and their brothers and sisters. I will always know what my children are learning in school and how they are doing.
3. So Much to Learn in so Little Time- I want my children to become honest, hard-working, faithful, responsible, respectful, caring, and intelligent individuals. This takes so much time and effort. Being a homeschooling family, I can spend this time purposefully teaching my children what matters most.
4. I'm the Best Teacher for Them- I love my children more than any other teacher could. I also know them better than anyone else does. The love that I have for them motivates me to to be the best teacher I can be.
5. A Perfectly Tailored Education- I am able to tailor my children's education to fit their needs and interests. In a classroom of 20-30 students a child receives very little one-on-one attention. In a homeschooling family of 4 or 5 children, one-on-one time is increased immensely. I can structure our learning to fit the way each child learns best. We can slow down or speed up according to what each child needs. My children will not be held up or pushed on. They will always be working right where they need to be. They will also be able to learn about things that interest them, so learning will be more fun!
6. I Want My Children to Love to Learn- I want to cultivate a love of learning for a lifetime!
7. It is what we are meant to do- I truly believe that homeschooling is what our family is supposed to do. There are so many times in every day that I am reminded that this is just "right" for us. I am so blessed to be able to do this with and for my family.
1. Time to Play and Just be Little- Children need time to imagine, pretend, explore, and play freely. After all, this is how children learn best! I tell my children all the time that their job is to "play". But two 15 minute recess times a day (if that) is just not enough. Plus, during the school day children typically sit at their desks doing work and then are sent home with an hour or more of homework every night. Add to that, after-school activities and dinner. How much time is their for true, free play? We make time for play throughout our day at home. We are able to spend at least an hour playing outside every day. We also set aside another hour for uninterrupted free play inside every day.
2. Family Togetherness- As a homeschooling family, we are able to spend so much time together. We are learning, growing, working, and playing together. This strengthens our family. In today's rushed and distracted world, so many families do not spend very much quality time together due to work, school, after-school activities, and all the other distractions of phones, computers, and TV. Our children need our time and attention more than anything else. After all, they will be growing up all too soon. Our home and school lives are one. My children will spend their days with me and their brothers and sisters. I will always know what my children are learning in school and how they are doing.
3. So Much to Learn in so Little Time- I want my children to become honest, hard-working, faithful, responsible, respectful, caring, and intelligent individuals. This takes so much time and effort. Being a homeschooling family, I can spend this time purposefully teaching my children what matters most.
4. I'm the Best Teacher for Them- I love my children more than any other teacher could. I also know them better than anyone else does. The love that I have for them motivates me to to be the best teacher I can be.
5. A Perfectly Tailored Education- I am able to tailor my children's education to fit their needs and interests. In a classroom of 20-30 students a child receives very little one-on-one attention. In a homeschooling family of 4 or 5 children, one-on-one time is increased immensely. I can structure our learning to fit the way each child learns best. We can slow down or speed up according to what each child needs. My children will not be held up or pushed on. They will always be working right where they need to be. They will also be able to learn about things that interest them, so learning will be more fun!
6. I Want My Children to Love to Learn- I want to cultivate a love of learning for a lifetime!
7. It is what we are meant to do- I truly believe that homeschooling is what our family is supposed to do. There are so many times in every day that I am reminded that this is just "right" for us. I am so blessed to be able to do this with and for my family.