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Oh how I thought I might lose my mind after an hour and a half of math and only on problem #5 of…50! Yes, that’s right, he had been sitting at his desk for an hour and a half and was only on problem #5.  I was only 23 years old, had little experience with teaching, and was equipped only with my love for him. Was it enough to be successful at homeschooling my special needs child?

The school’s best recommendation was to medicate my ADHD child.

Earlier that year since we had just moved, I thought maybe things would be different at our new duty station. Maybe the problem wasn’t our son. I was hoping it was the other school. No such luck. The experience was the same. He’d rather just sit there than do his work–sometimes disrupting the other kids. It’s not that he was a bad kid; he just couldn’t focus. Of course I felt horrible. I could see that the current mold for public school just wasn’t working for him and that he needed extra discipline.

This is a photo of my son and me together just as he reached kindergarten age. I had no idea of the road ahead.

Being an inexperienced mom, I really believed that the experts knew what they were talking about or that at least they should. At first I gave that a chance. The best solution from the schools was to medicate my child. He was on Ritalin for a year. While it did have the effect of  better performance, I began to see side effects that concerned me deeply. He couldn’t sleep or eat, he was losing weight, and he was reacting to minor stress and fears inappropriately for his age. To make matters worse, when he came off the medication he was wild to say the least.

Experts don’t know everything about your ADHD child.

Sad but true, it seemed all the schools cared about was classroom management. They did not love my child the way I did. I wanted my child to succeed, but I also wanted him to be healthy. So I decided to take him off medication and homeschool once more. I can literally remember sitting  in the psychiatrist’s office as he basically told us that if we didn’t medicate our child, he would never feel successful. But something inside me knew there had to be another way. Now keep in mind there was not yet much research on ADHD. This was about 13 years ago! I had to believe in myself and trust my heart that I could do this!

That’s when the real journey started. I began to educate myself and learn about other forms and methods of education from Charlotte Mason to Classical. I read books on Attention Deficit Disorder and talked to other homeschoolers about their curriculum. I learned by trial and error what worked for us and what didn’t. Eventually I was able to design the learning goals and curriculum to meet his needs and interests while setting the right pace. As I adapted my methods, things became less stressful. It wasn’t perfect by any means. In fact, it was especially tough because I had so much to learn.

Homeschooling my ADHD child was the right decision.

Looking back now it’s easy to see that homeschooling was the right decision. I had the right reasons for homeschooling him. It really ensured that he didn’t fall through the cracks. The extra time I spent working with him one-on-one required him to do the appropriate amount of work. We could take extra time on areas where he needed work and accentuate his gifted areas too! The time I gave him showed him how much I cared. I was able to discipline him and apply consistent behavioral modification methods. Over time he was able to develop life skills essential for success.

Later on I realized he was exceptionally smart and gifted. It was hard to see that right off because to me he was just the way he was. In fact, had he never been in public school, I probably would have never known he was “ADHD.” The symptoms would have been there…the inattention, impulsive behaviors, and struggle to follow through with tasks will always be there.  But to me he was always just a typical boy.

It’s hard to believe that so long ago I worried for the future.

Today my ADHD child is a college graduate who got his BS in Network Security in 2.5 years and is feeling quite successful on his own. I am not saying that it wasn’t a struggle at times; it certainly was. Some days were just bad ones where we really didn’t get a lot accomplished. On those days the lessons were about love, patience, family, and accepting imperfection in our lives. But learning that I was the biggest expert on my own kids, because I love them, that was the lesson I learned! I may not have a degree or certificate saying that I succeeded. And I don’t know everything. I made lots of mistakes along the way. But everything turned out OK because that’s where the love part came to the rescue. I will never regret those days of struggle, the times I feared it wouldn’t be enough and the days when I just wanted to give up!

Homeschooling a special needs child is tough. But it is possible if you are willing to work hard, be dedicated, and balance your personal life with the responsibility you have taken on. It’s hard to see 10 years ahead how it will all turn out. Be flexible, seek resources to aid you, and believe in yourself! Hang in there mom of an ADHD kid. You CAN  do it! And later on it will have all been worth it.

Stephanie has been a military spouse for 17 years and has homeschooled for 11. She is mom to three creative kids from college grad down to third grade. Her homeschool style is eclectic with Charlotte Mason and classical influences. She and her husband of 21 years serve and live wherever the US Army sends them. When she isn’t teaching, writing or moving she enjoys sightseeing, gardening, and cooking. Visit Stephanie on her blogs, Harrington Harmonies & Nature Notebook and on Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest.

Sweetly Creative provides digital products such as party collections, stationery, labels and wrappers for treats and more! I began this company just over a year ago in the midst of raising two young children and with our third on the way! While I certainly had my hands full, this shop has been a wonderful creative outlet and gives me in some small way the opportunity to help others make their event or thoughtful gift extra special! I’ve even had a few clients send me pictures with the products in use and it always brings a smile to my face! I love to see how creative people can be! Plus Pinterest is always there to help inspire!

Here are some examples of items you will find at Sweetly Creative . . .

Feel free to come visit Sweetly Creative and take a look around! In addition, use the code HHM10 during May to receive 10% off!

I hope you all have a blessed day!

Learn more about Sweetly Creative on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter!

Sweetly Creative Giveaway

Ready to spruce up your next party with beautiful summer sunflowers? One Hip Homeschool Moms reader will win the Printable Sunflower Party Collection from Sweetly Creative!

The Sunflower Party Collection is a great way to celebrate birthdays, showers, luncheons and more! These items are ready to print, cut out and brighten the day!

The Sunflower Party Collection includes:

• 2.5″ Cupcake Toppers – Can also be used to make stickers & tags!
• Full Alphabet and Numbers (0-10) for Banners – Simply print the letters and numbers you need.
• Thank You Gift Tags
• Cupcake Wrappers
• Water Bottle Wrappers
• “Welcome to the Party” & “Happy Birthday” Signs
• Flags

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I understand completely.

I’m just finishing up my second year of homeschooling, so I’m hardly an expert.  However, I do know a lot about starting to homeschool and all of the questions that go along with that. It can be a mind-boggling, faith-testing, relationship-straining time.  If we could sit out on the porch with a glass of sweet tea, here’s what I would want to share with you:

Learning some geography during our second year – proving that we did survive that first year!

• You don’t have to be super-organized.  Somehow there seems to be a myth that all homeschoolers have this innate ability to maintain perfect homes, create elaborate lesson plans, keep meticulous records, cook delicious and nutritious meals (three times a day), and meet all the wife descriptions of Proverbs 31 and Song of Solomon.  We bloggers can be the most guilty of perpetuating such a myth. Yes, you should do your work as unto the Lord, and yes, some sort of planning and/or record-keeping method is very helpful (here’s mine – very basic), but please let go of this feeling of inadequacy.

• Don’t worry about choosing the wrong curriculum.  I can promise you this: something you choose for your child will not be a good fit.  The beauty of homeschooling is that you don’t have to stick with it!  Give it a good, honest shot first, but if it’s just not working, move on.  Especially at the beginning, I would recommend trying to see different ones in person before purchasing.  Ask other homeschool Moms if you can take a peek at what they are using, get honest answers about how much time is involved, and then be honest with yourself about how much time and money you have and are willing to spend.

• Homeschoolers come in all shapes and sizes.  We’re not all Duggars.  I have such admiration for the Duggars and other families like them, but I knew that wasn’t me.  I like to wear capri pants, I have short hair, and my husband and I do not feel called to have a busload of children.  Honestly, I was afraid I just wouldn’t fit in with other homeschoolers.  I was pleasantly surprised to find such a wide range of homeschool Moms!  I know Moms who wear denim jumpers and others who wear skinny jeans.  You don’t have to stop being “you” to homeschool.

• You may be surprised by who supports your decision – and who doesn’t.  You will quickly discover that you are making what others consider to be a radical choice.  This can be especially daunting when you are already feeling unsure about your decision.  My mother and my mother-in-law are both retired public school teachers.  One thinks homeschooling is great; the other is … doubtful.  Both opinions are based on their own experiences and understanding, and both are well-intentioned.  Don’t be surprised if this produces some unforeseen conflicts, and approach them prayerfully.

• You probably won’t love every minute of it – and that’s OK.  Another myth about homeschool Moms is that we all just love being with our kids all.day.long.  While there may be a few who genuinely feel that way, most of us need a break from time to time.  I am a classic introvert and being around people all the time (even people whom I love dearly) wears me out.  I have to carve out alone time during the day, even if it’s just a few minutes here and there.  Find what works for you.  Also, be prepared that transitioning to having them home all the time if it hasn’t been that way previously will require a time of adjustment on everyone’s part.  Don’t panic if you’re not all one big, happy family by the end of the first week!  Pray, proceed with caution, and give it time.

• Just try it!  It won’t be the end of the world if it doesn’t work out, and you will not have ruined your child’s education.  I promise.  I do strongly suggest committing to one full year so you won’t quit at the first bump in the road because there will be bumps.  Just remember that you have the option to tweak things along the way.  Pray, and try different schedules.  Pray, and try different activities.  Pray, and try again.

Other homeschool Moms who also know the trepidation of just starting out, what other advice would you add?

Laura Baggett is a college math professor learning to teach first grade and preschool at home with her two favorite students. She and her husband, David, have moved 13 times in not quite 15 years of marriage. When she’s not homeschooling, teaching math online, or feeding her addiction to Facebook, she writes about her adventures at Bloom Where You’re Planted.

In the last two books of the series, we walk through the lives of Carrie, Rosie and Grandma (and other family members). The girls are the kind of girls that you want your daughters to spend time with and play. They are bright, courteous and are not afraid to share their faith, which is what they do in Clothed With Thunder.

From the beginning of the book, when the girls hear a presentation in their 4-H group about the evolution of the horse, you get a feel for the strength of the characters and their values, with Rosie’s desire to make a rebuttal. At the suggestion of their mother, the girls make it their project for the next 4-H meeting to prove that God created horses and that they did not evolve. Although the project is Carrie’s and Rosie’s, their family members offer suggestions giving the reader a sense of how the family works and encourages each other.

Lily has been enjoying the Sonrise Stable series and I like the fact that I do not have to worry about the content of the books she is reading. Vicki Watson, who is the author of the series, introduces her readers to a loving, Christian family. There is respect for each other and you can tell that the children are loved by their parents.

There are currently four books in the series. You may read a review of the first two books from Heidi here at Hip Homeschool Moms. Watson has brought to life in her books several characters, who are based on real-life people she has known. Those even include her three homeschooled daughters who are all graduates. The character of the grandmother is based on Watson herself. The stories she tells are based on personal experiences and the people she has met while growing up and her work with horses. Readers not only get insight into Watson’s life, but also know that the interaction with the horses is accurate.

Horses, Christian family values and children who are just like mine (homeschoolers) make this series a good find for my daughter (and me). You are just in time to jump on board as book five in the series is expected sometime in the future.

The Sonrise Stable series books are available as physical copies or as e-books. Learn more at the Sonrise Stable website and on the Facebook page.

Although Jennifer now lives in Small Town, USA on the southern part of the map, she will always remain a California girl. She is a Christian, wife and homeschool mother, who has been blessed with three beautiful children (a.k.a. the ‘Wild Bunch’). Her homeschool style is still being determined and Jennifer is just thankful that she and her children are able to stay-at-home and learn together. Jennifer is a writer, who enjoys reading (as do her children), running, too much time on the computer, sewing and taking lots and lots of pictures (just ask her children). She is also a lover of food and can be found in her kitchen whipping up something delicious and vegetarian. Oh, she never forgets dessert. Visit Jennifer at Milk & Honey Mommy, Facebook, Twitter.

Sonrise Stable Giveaway

We’re excited to be giving away a Sonrise Stable Prize Pack this week! The prize pack includes Sonrise Stable Books 1-4 and a fun t-shirt that your horse lover is sure to love.

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**Note:  There are many advantages of homeschooling – far more than I discuss in this post, but for today, I am focusing on the unique advantages experienced by those specifically with an only child.

Here are 6 advantages of homeschooling a singleton:

1.  Undivided attention

It’s just you and your child, homeschooling each day.  Since it’s just the two of you; you aren’t forced to balance time between homeschooling multiple kids, feeding the baby, and washing the fifth load of laundry that day.  If your child needs help, your are there to step in.  If he wants to study planets, you drop your previous lesson plans and, instead, head to the library to pick up books on the subject and check the hours at the local planetarium.  You are right there watching him learn, and enjoying every “light bulb” moment with a front-and-center seat.

2.  Extra time for extra activities

We go on field trips.  A lot.  In fact, I build “field trip day” into our weekly schedule.  Since we have only one child, we are not having to share time nor resources between multiple children.  This frees us up that If my son wants to visit a state park to study bird migration patterns for a few days, I don’t have to worry about working it around brother’s baseball practice nor sister’s piano lessons.  Our time is not constrained.  Instead, I listen to his interests.  I want to make sure he gets to see, do, and experience everything he wants to learn about, and since we are not having to juggle multiple schedules, we can afford to spend the time to do these activities.

3.  Fewer financial costs

I admit it… I’m a curriculum junkie.  It’s the cost of buying all of the curriculum that eats through our wallets.  Luckily, with only one child, you only have to buy one set of curriculum each year. I can’t image the costs that I would incur buying curriculum for more than one child.  On the other hand, when you only have one child, you can also consider some of the more pricey curriculum options, which is not always an option if you have a larger family.

4. No comparisons among siblings

When I was growing up, I always wanted to be the best.  I wanted to be the best student, performer, and athlete.  But, my older brother always beat me in sports.  And my younger brother was a natural comedian. I, on the other hand, doubted my abilities, because all I did was continuously compare myself (and my shortcomings) with them.  One advantage of homeschooling an only child is that your child doesn’t compare himself to his siblings.  There’s no worrying whether Suzie is going to pass Billy’s reading ability, or two brothers striving to outshine the other.  With an only child, he gets to move at his own pace and working through his own set of challenges – no comparisons, no competition, just learning at his own tempo.

5. Close relationship with the child

My son is a mama’s boy. In fact, he’s a daddy’s boy as well.  He relies heavily on both of us to be there for him.  And, honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. He needs those close relationship with us, at least during this time in his life.  What I love is his honesty, openness, and willingness to share just about about everything with us. When he has a question, he asks.  When he’s worried, he shares his his deepest concerns. I adore that he has no problems snuggling up next to me to share his deepest concerns. I don’t know if this is the same for families with more children, but in our household, it is a bond that I treasure!

6. Less planning and administrative duties

When I was a teacher, I loathed grading papers.  It took up so much time, yet was necessary to give the student feedback.  Now that we homeschool, I’ve found that lesson planning and grading papers can take up large chunks of time as well.  I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for larger families. With an only child, you only have to create one set of lesson plans, remember where one child stopped last week for history, review forgotten math topics with one child, and grade one set of papers.  Whew, one set of each of these is about all that I can handle; I’m so glad we only have one!

So, what advantages of homeschooling an only child have you experienced?  Which point above resonates the most with you?  I’d love to hear what you think!

Leann is a homeschooling mama of an over-active 6 year old, proud wife of a cop, and pet lover of their two dogs, frogs, turtles – and cricket. Her blog, Montessori Tidbits, chronicles their homeschooling journey, while throwing in tidbits about life, reviews, and recipes. Prior to being a stay-at-home mom, Leann taught math at a public high school for high achieving students. She and her family currently reside in the middle Tennessee area.

Calling all homeschool bloggers………………..

We are currently accepting and scheduling featured bloggers for each Tuesday. If you have a homeschool-related blog and would like to be a ‘featured blogger’, please email Wendy at wendy@hiphomeschoolmoms.com. Be sure to put “featured blogger” in the subject line.

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For quite some time our homeschooling days have felt “off” as we’ve struggled daily to find a natural rhythm. I’ve suspected it was the schedule we were keeping, but wasn’t sure what to do about it.

And then it happened…we woke up one weekend morning only to realize that a pipe between our kitchen and bathroom walls had burst causing extensive water damage to our home. And just like that, we had to pack up our four young sons and move out while repairs were made.

Without any planning, our schedule changed in an instant.

We had no idea how challenging the next six weeks would prove to be for our family or that the answers to our homeschooling struggles would be wrapped up in the circumstances ahead . Living in a one bedroom (with partial kitchen) apartment during that time was hard enough, but trying to homeschool on top of that was disastrous. I didn’t have all of our “things”…our books and papers, my beloved printer, our large kitchen table to spread out on or the back yard to take breaks in. Add to that a crew of boys who are used to playing hard and being loud and I felt like I was the constant nagging shush-er, for fear of getting complaints and kicked out of our apartment. After all, there were respectful volume levels and quiet hours to adhere to in the strict rules listed on our temporary housing lease agreement. I felt very defeated.

So, I prayed and trusted God for wisdom as I abandoned our school schedule and threw caution to the wind. Instead of struggling with my boys to get our lessons done, I decided we’d just live each day however that day needed to be lived…however God led us. And lead us, He did. In the natural process of needing to get out of our apartment each day to let my boys get exercise , I realized something HUGE!

My boys still craved their “school time”. In fact, they love to learn, but I had always confined their school lessons to a typical school day schedule when what they really needed was to be active and physical during the day so they could actually focus and do their school work when it best worked for them…in the late afternoons and evenings.

So, we’ve fully embraced the concept of “Night School” for our children and here is why:

1. One of the benefits of homeschooling is the ability to do what works best for your family. I was stressing every day over a routine that just wasn’t working for us. We’ve been trying for years now to rise early, eat breakfast, do our school work and then have the afternoons to do other things. Truth is…we like to take our time in the morning, so taking the morning as it comes has made for a much more peaceful start to our days.

2. Once that morning fog lifts, my guys are ready to…NOT SIT DOWN AND DO SCHOOL WORK. There’s a world out there waiting to be conquered, so they want to get out in it and be active. The constant struggle to try and get them to sit and focus certainly doesn’t honor their natural bent. When we get outside and play, they burn their energy FIRST which enables them to focus better LATER.

3. As a homeschooling mom, I’ve always fought for the time to have my quiet time with God in the mornings. With a more casual start to our day, I am better able to make the time for this, even when my children are already awake.

4. As a part time work-from-home mom, night schooling allows me to also work on my writing projects a little more easily throughout the day as time permits.

5. Because I’m not pushing them to fit into a mold that doesn’t work for them, there is less bickering between our boys.

6. Another benefit of homeschooling later in the day is the ability to run errands, make doctor’s appointments, and plan more outings without the feeling that it is cutting into our school time.

7. Homeschooling in the evenings lets us take FULL advantage of being outside more. We tend to be of the opinion that school can occur wherever we choose. So, organizing our time in a way that allows us to do more of our seat-work later in the day means we can include many of our hands-on activities and science experiments outside or wherever we happen to be.

8. A regular work-out routine has always been a struggle for this busy homeschooling mom. But now that our days are spent being more active, it allows me to be more intentional about my own health as well.

9. When I honor my children’s personalities and allow them to burn that energy during the day, our family time at night, when my husband comes home, is so much more fruitful. Before, he’d come home to the chaos of kids bouncing off the walls and fighting from all that pent up energy that wasn’t burned during the day AND a stressed out wife who had fought all day to get lessons taught. Family time was less than ideal. Now, he doesn’t feel like he’s always receiving our “left-overs.” Now he gets to participate in their learning. I try to plan the school work that I know he would enjoy doing with them for after dinner time. And sometimes, the bulk of our lessons are already completed by the time Dad arrives home, so family time is sweet either way.

10. I don’t worry about whether my boys will be able to function in the “real world” one day where college courses and most work scenarios take place between the hours of 9 and 5pm. Why? Because honestly, learning happens at all hours of the day, so I know they will be able to function and focus well during more traditional schedules down the road. They will adapt. But while they’re still young and still learning how to have self-control, night schooling gives them (and me) more balance than fighting a routine that doesn’t work for any of us.

Had it not been for the water disaster in our home, I don’t know if I ever would have thought of flipping our school schedule to a time that better fit the personalities and needs of our children. I also would not have thought that this kind of schedule would work for me either, but I know I operate best when there is peace in our home. And for this homeschooling family, night schooling does help promote more peace.

So, how are things going in your homeschooling world right now? Are you in need of a homeschooling schedule change? Part of the incredible beauty and privilege of homeschooling is the ability to do what works best for YOUR family.

Megan and her amazing husband, along with their four young sons live in Washington. She is a homeschooling mom after the heart of Jesus and wanting to make Him famous to her boys each and every day. As often as possible, Megan and her boys spend their time away from the table learning with a very hands-on approach. They love unit studies, science experiments, great books and especially the outdoors. One of her sons was born with a significant hearing loss, so her family is bilingual, with American Sign Language as their second language. Megan enjoys reading, creating unit studies, is passionate about her faith in God, loves taking pictures of her family playing together outside and even revels in getting messy with her boys. She writes about all this and more at Devotional Motherhood @ House of the Rising Sons.

Read more of Megan’s articles on Hip Homeschool Moms.

Anytime we have the opportunity to travel as a family, we are making lasting memories of fun and adventure. However, one of my favorite benefits of homeschooling is the chance to take a homeschool travel approach to the trip and capture the opportunity to learn on the road.

My husband travels a lot for work, and when it makes sense, it’s great to tag along with a homeschool travel focus. We also have family all across the country that we like to visit when we can. As a homeschooler, I recognize that there are so many hands-on learning opportunities that we can take advantage of when we’re “in the field” and planning our trip with a homeschool travel approach.

For example, we turned our recent tag-along trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming into a spontaneous “field trip” — complete with a unit study and scientific/historical tour. I put together a Wyoming unit study using free resources on the Internet and picked up a few helpful books at the library so we could make the most of learning opportunities while on the road. If you’ve never considered using a unit study approach to maximize activities that you already plan to do, here are my tips for creating a unit study on the fly.

We visited the historical sites in town and toured the Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum. We were also staying in a historical hotel, The Wort Hotel, which had its own collection of splendid art on display and historical photos adorning the halls. What a treat!

Our science and nature study segment took place in the Grand Tetons National Park. We had the opportunity to see abundant wildlife roaming quite close to the roads and pull-outs as we drove through the park. We saw a large herd of bison roaming with many new calves at their sides. We also saw families of trumpeter swans with their little gray signets swimming close by. We even saw several pairs of moose traveling together through the willows near the road. The enormous elk herd grazing in the nearby elk refuge was a spectacular sight as well.

The Concept of Homeschool Travel

It took me a couple of years of adjusting to the homeschooling life to realize that homeschooling is about so much more than cracking open curriculum at the dining room table everyday. It’s an opportunity to develop a lifestyle of learning for your family. To me, a lifestyle of learning means recognizing that life itself presents countless learning opportunities.

My homeschooled husband was fortunate to have experienced a lot of hands-on homeschool travel with his family, learning on the road while his parents traveled across the country. His sister Rosanna (a fellow contributor to our NextGen Homeschool blog) shared a glimpse of what homeschool travel was like for them and what she loved most about the experience in this post on homeschool travel. My husband’s experiences as a homeschooled student traveling with his parents had a lot to do with my excitement about incorporating travel into our homeschooling plans for our three girls.

These four steps have been essential for me when planning a homeschool travel experience:

Step One: Think Like a Homeschooler

When you approach any subject as a homeschooling teacher, what do you take into consideration? What do you find works best for your child to learn and then apply new knowledge and skills? These same strategies will help you plan how to maximize learning opportunities when you are traveling.

Although museums and traditional venues for “experiencing” a new location are helpful, don’t stop there. Take your children’s learning styles into consideration. Would a dramatic performance excite them? Seeing a local art gallery? Hiking or biking through the town and surrounding area? Taking a guided tour? Meeting a local who provides their own unique point of view?

Once you have some ideas for how you can incorporate educational experiences into your trip, it’s time for research.

Step Two: Research & Plan Your Adventure

The Internet has made it so much easier to plan for any type of travel! Once you have a list of ideas, you can Google all of them and see what pops up. You can get museum schedules, locations, prices, nearby restaurants… and you’ll never feel lost or unprepared.

However, I would suggest you don’t limit yourself to what you find online. Not every worthwhile experience is captured on an Internet search engine. Do you know anyone who lives in the area? If so, can they give you suggestions? What are their favorite ways to experience their town?

There are also good old-fashioned books at the library. We found some wonderful books about Wyoming from different perspectives before our trip, and we also checked out a few historical fiction books about life in Wyoming that added richness to the experience of visiting there. Think outside the Internet box when you’re putting together your travel plans and gathering resources for your children.

Step Three: Make a Budget

It’s no surprise that homeschool travel means adding an expense to your family budget. Gas, lodging, food, entertainment… you name it, and it costs something! So if you would like to include travel in your homeschooling plans, you’ll need to budget for it in advance as accurately as possible.

One approach to budget-friendly homeschool travel is to go to places with a purpose. If you have family or friends there, you may be able to minimize costs by staying with them and eating home meals. If you have business there, some expenses may be reimbursed or tax deductible. Tag-along travel, as I like to think of it, can save money while still providing a wonderful “field” learning experience for your children.

If it’s a trip planned purely for family adventure and education, you will need to look into all of your costs in advance and make a plan. My family loves camping, so we can save money on lodging as long as we travel during favorable weather. Check the local chamber of commerce to see what’s taking place in the area that is free: Festivals, town events and other sponsored activities abound that can provide learning and entertainment for little to no expense. Hiking and nature observation is always free!

My point here is to be creative and out-of-the-box about what these trips will look like. Homeschool travel does not have to be a lavish, Disney vacation. It’s about being in the field and experiencing the world instead of reading about it. In fact, you’ll probably learn more when you’re traveling off the beaten path. There’s more to a town than tourist attractions!

Step Four: Equip the Family for the Adventure

To make the most of your homeschool travel, you may want to create a unit study or another organized “lesson” in advance to take with you for capturing the experience. If unit studies appeal to you, here are my tips for creating a unit study on the fly. Many ready-to-go unit studies are also available for purchase. They are a wonderful organizational tool for capturing what your children are learning on the road.

However, I think the most essential tools for the homeschool travel toolkit are a notebook, a camera, and art supplies (crayons & colored pencils). Binoculars are also great when you plan to observe birds and wildlife. If your children enjoy sketching, a drawing pad or blank journal (with white pages instead of lined paper) is also helpful. Personally, I like to bring at least one folder with pockets to store all the “extras” we pick up while on the road (flyers, brochures, stickers, etc.).

If you have readers, checking out several books in advance to read on the road will help your children stay engaged in the locale and answer many questions they might have along the way. Regional or cultural music and audio books can also be checked out in advance for the trip if you have auditory learners. If you have a “collector” in your family, make sure he or she brings an extra bag for the rocks, flowers, postcards, coins and other memorabilia that might be collected on the trip.

Creating a Lifestyle of Learning

The idea of planning travel for the purpose of homeschooling may still be daunting for you. If your children aren’t yet at an age that learning on the road is feasible for you, don’t rush it — they won’t always be little! If budget or time off work is a constraint, think smaller scale: Where can you go on a day trip that will be exciting and educational? Can you join up with another homeschooling family and do something together?

No matter what you do outside the home with your family, it’s an opportunity to reinforce a lifestyle of learning for your children. Whenever you have the chance to venture outside the home, outside your town and your comfort zones, there is something new to learn and share. It may not be postcard perfect — but that’s a good thing!

I think the more we can help our children engage in the world outside the walls of home, the better. After all, the great commission of Jesus is to go into all the world to share the gospel. Homeschool traveling may be just the beginning of a far-reaching story of ministry for your family!

Do you ever get a chance to incorporate travel into your homeschooling plans? Have you had the chance to homeschool abroad? What other ways do you incorporate learning outside the “classroom” of home?

Renée Gotcher is an entrepreneur, writer, wife & home-educating mother of three daughters: Audrey, Claire and Elise. Renée was homeschooled during her last two years of high school and started homeschooling in 2010. A former journalist, she is currently the editor of NextGen Homeschool and blogs on personal topics at A New Chapter . Her family lives in Castle Rock, Colorado.

Photo from www.freedigitalphotos.net By Poulsen Photo, published on 14 February 2012 Stock Photo – image ID: 10072884

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