Hi, and welcome to Confessions of a Homeschooler!
Please allow me to introduce myself:
Welcome to Confessions of a Homeschooler! My name is Erica Arndt, I’m a Christian mom with a wonderful husband and 4 precious kiddos! We’ve been homeschooling since 2006, although I was previously opposed to the idea. But I have learned through this journey, that when the Lord calls us, we are to be obedient! You can visit this post to see why we homeschool now. After a few early years spent getting into our groove, I can say that I am blessed to have the option to homeschool these kiddos, and that my husband and I can be the primary influence in their lives!
About our blog:
Confessions of a Homeschooler is a blog full of homeschooling ideas, resources and printables. I began the site in August of 2009 with the start of a new school year. It started off as a way for my husband to āsee what we do all dayā. And has really helped him interact with the kids about what theyāve learned each day. It quickly morphed into a place for sharing ideas and resources with other homeschoolers! And now we’ve even added in our cooking, quilting, and crafting adventures too!
About the Players:
This sweet girl is my first born! I’ve homeschooled her since the beginning! So she’s my guinea pig, and mini-me. She’s now 16 years old and currently in 11th Grade. She likes horses, cooking, animals, and all things light blue.
Next we have Sam. He’s my second born, 15 years old and currently in the 10th Grade. He’s the only dude in this group of all girlies (except my husband of course). He loves hockey, motocross, video games, and anything that I’ll let him take apart. He’s good at just about everything he tries, and he has a laugh that is contagious!
Olivia is up next. She’s my 3rd born baby, 13 years old and currently in 8th grade. She’s a girlie girl and loves choir, playing guitar, worship, and sewing. She’s a total “mama’s girl” and spends most of her time hugging and kissing me :o).
Last but not least is our baby.Ā She’s the sweetest kid and is always up for a challenge! She’s crazy as can be, loves to try new things, and does her best to do literally EVERYthing that the big kids can do. She loves motocross, knitting, weaving, sewing, and hockey. And don’t let her size fool you, she can keep up with the big kids just fine!
We also added a few furry friends in to the mix! Check them out on instagram below š
About Our Homeschool:
Similar to many moms, I face the self-inflicted frustration of self doubt.
āAm I doing enough? What am I missing? Am I a good teacher? Should they be in school?ā But I’ve found over the years that my frustration is outweighed by the tremendous joys of seeing my family grow closer together and watching as the kids grow and learn new things.
I think homeschooling is one of those slow payoffs, but each day I can see little things that inspire me to keep going! The Lord has really confirmed our decision to homeschool each year and truly brought us joy through our obedience! You can read why our family chose to homeschool here. And more about my own struggle with it in my Candid Conversation with God, and my thoughts on Plate Spinning 101!
I have found great inspiration for our homeschool from fellow homeschoolers. Joining the blogging community has been a HUGE help, and frankly Iām not sure how I ever did school before! There are so many talented and creative moms out there, and I love that everyone is willing to share their ideas and inspiration so freely! Itās truly been a blessing to us over the years.
I hope you enjoy this blog, and that it would be a blessing to your family! Thanks for reading, and if you have any questions feel free to contact me, I’d be happy to help!
Hello,
I’m working through Homeschooling 101 and am trying to figure out how best to order our time. 2018-2019 will be our third year so I feel like I have some ideas but we will also be adding two more ‘official’ students and keeping the three year old busy. Can you recommend any resources for scheduling multiple students when no one is particularly independent yet?
We’re doing 2nd grade, 1st grade, kindergarten and some tot work to help include my youngest. My plan is to do everything except phonics/reading, math, and spelling (required for my 1st and 2nd graders) together focusing on the littlest first then going up to oldest.
Good evening Erica,
First let me say I love your videos and I have learned so much from you, so thank you. I need some advice. I have a five year old who I am trying to teach reading to and I must say it is a bit difficult because I am homeschooling four other children and I also work full time. Do you have any advice. I am currently using Explode the code with her and flash cards but I feel like we should be a bit further with reading especially since she will be turning six this January. Please help. Thanks so much.
Hi! I think repetition is key at that age, so I would definitely try to spend as much time with her as possible going over letter recognition and sounds. Also head to the library, beginning readers are fun and you can read them together before bed. I also like All About Spelling and All About Reading or Abeka reading at that age as well. I have a ton of phonics worksheets and downloads you can use too. But really just reviewing letters and reading often is key.
Thanks so much Erica. I will continue working hard and will definitely implement some library time. I appreciate your help.
Hi Erica,
Is there a way for you to see if I ordered Road Trip USA earlier this year. I very much thought I did, but cannot find any records indicating so. I just want to check with you before I purchase. Thank you!
Hi Emilie,
Yes it looks like you did!
I have a question about free motion quilting by machine. When you stop/start sewing you have loose threads on front and back. What do you do with them?
Hi! I try to start/stop at the edges of my quilt so you don’t have those. If you run out of bobbin in the middle of the quilt, I’ll usually draw the bobbin thread up to the top, take a small back stitch, then keep going. Once I’m a few inches away I’ll go back and trim the threads. I believe I show this in my how to FMQ video if you search for it. š
Erica, we are looking to purchase wholesale your seasonal patterns, including Vintage Christmas. We own a quilt shop in The Willamette Valley. Please email me how we can order your patterns. Thanks, Gary
Hi Gary, please email me (there’s a contact form under the About Me tab at the top of my website) and I will be happy to help you with wholesale purchases.
Hello there. I live in NZ. My husband and I are raising our now 3.5 year old mokopuna since she came in to our custody aged 3 months. It is our desire to home school Evie. However, we are not of any religious persuasion but have no issues whatsoever with those who do choose to worship god. With that in mind, will we still be welcome to join this homeschooling group in order to benefit Evie’s future education requirements? I appreciate your taking the time to read this comment, many thanks. Arohanui, Lorayne King and whanau.
All are welcome š
Hi Erica
I watched your tutorial on sewing Facemasks. Your you tube video was brilliant. Clear, concise and efficient you are a wonderful teacher and mother. Iām a former sewer and quilter, I just needed a reminder. I read your blog.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, your craftsmanship and family with us, we are greatly blessed.
Sincere regards Kim
Hi Erica
I watched your tutorial on sewing Facemasks. Your you tube video was brilliant. Clear, concise and efficient you are a wonderful teacher, educator and mother. Iām a former sewer and quilter, I just needed a reminder. I read your blog.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, your craftsmanship and family with us, we are greatly blessed.
Sincere regards Kim
Hi Erica, I am an experienced seamstress, and I watched many videos for making face masks. I must say that yours is the best, and simplest. I have sent your video to many people who want to join this project. It looks like we may be wearing masks for some time, so I want my to be cute!! Thank you, A
Hi, thanks so much! I’m glad it has helped š
Hey, I homeschooled 3- 30somethings awhile ago for 15 years!! . With pandemic and delayed grandchild I was considering a literature based program for her this summer. She is 8 and in 2nd grade but language is delayed. She is great in math and loves art. Your thoughts? She lives 3 hours away and shares time between parents, but my son is willing to help when he has her and l will have her a few weeks this summer. Thanks, Lynda