The Waldock Way is a hub for all things homeschool. Here you will find tips, tricks, inspiration, and resources to help you ignite a love of learning by following your child’s lead and having fun along the way.
Topics frequently featured are morning baskets, unit studies, strewing, gameschooling, interest led learning, learning on location, and homeschooling an only child.
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Feel free to contact me at: jessica@thewaldockway.com
I’m homeschooling an only. She’s 11 (12 in a few months). I could use a friend to talk things through! Her social opportunities aren’t working out. 😕 It’s heartbreaking.
I once had a mom of multiples tell me I should be able to come over and help her with something because I "can't be that busy with just one." You gotta put other people's opinions out if your decision making, everyones got opinions. I do not socialize with that mom any longer.
Although I have 4 kids homeschooling my youngest (who is a 6th grader) is like having an only child…his sisters are 29, 24, and 16🥺 the youngest of the girls goes to PS, so it’s just him and I all day 🤷🏻♀️
Everyone: OMG, you can't homeschool, your son's going to be so antisocial! Me, a low-social-battery introvert with a child who could make friends with a rock: ...you promise? 😂 He's in 4H, youth group, 4H Hippology Team, wrestling, cooking classes, a homeschool group through the library, and a gaming social group with homeschool and public school kids. He socializes better than I did at his age as a public-schooled, only child. 😂
This is my child with friend's little siblings. I try and have the older friend only over for a playdate at our quiet home. That takes time though to get to know the family so they won't have to bring everyone over. Also, I let the older kids play outside or in my child's room (door open) and the mom and I chat while I have Magatiles and little wooden toys in the living area for the littles. Also there are some great child earplugs that help.
I don’t force it. We do field trips with other homeschoolers in my area & then I meet up for playdates at the park with them. Sometimes she plays with the other kids and sometimes she doesn’t. I don’t force the interactions but they are there if she wants. On one of the field trips she stuck by an elderly volunteer the whole time but on others she find a kid that she relates to. Sometimes she just sticks with me. I always try to think about her through my eyes. Sometimes I feel like socializing, other times I don’t. Same for them.
Wow! This looks like an incredible trip. So beautiful. Thanks for sharing! Of the two books you were reading, did you like one over the other? Or were both valuable?
I just want to tell you how amazing you look and how happy I am for you! You are an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your journey! And I'm praying for you and your family during this hurricane season! Stay safe! 🙏
You came within a few miles of my home because I live in Gardiner. Yellowstone Park is our 'back yard' - which my 4 children and 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students have enjoyed so much for the past 30+ years. Now my homeschooled grandchildren come to visit from Bozeman. Yellowstone Park and the Tetons are magical and you never run out of new places to discover. Crossing Jenny Lake to hike up the mountain and swimming at Yellowstone Hot Springs (across from my home) are some of my favorites. Having bison, elk, and other wildlife walking right through our yard is pretty amazing. Especially since I am originally from Holland where I lived on a dairy farm with no mountains anywhere in the entire country. Great Video! Thank you so much for sharing! 😊
I am looking at denison pre-algebra. I have a 12 yr old who struggles with math a lot i think becuase she just doesnt like it. Shes in 6th but we really cant get math down. She hates teaching textbooks. I was wondering if the review in denison would be enough ornif i should find something else before we start it.
This came at the perfect time!! I was feeling pressure to add a writing curriculum and they also need handwriting practice. I think these ideas are a great fit!!
So true ! We were reading paddington and he’s from Peru and we dived into learning about Peru 🇵🇪 pulled out our map and now they know about Peru and facts ❤️
Thank you, these are great recommendations! I especially love those snack boxes. May I also suggest, if on a smaller budget, visiting a local ethnic restaurant.
What creative, clever ideas! I've followed you for over five years, and it has been so fun to see your homeschool grow. And you look beautiful, Jessica!
I love this! I messaged you recently HW. I think this is definitely the unit for us! When others do unit studies like this do you focus on the unit study and ELA or should I be adding in additional studies throughout the unit? I just don’t know if I need to teach everything at once or if it is ok to do the unit study math and ELA and another later on US history etc and stem. I think this will truly be a game changer for m daughter and something that she is going to love! Amazing ❤
I have a question. 🙋♀️ would you think this method work with a high schooler who is technically behind academically? According to public school which is why we pulled her out?
We started Mail Monday (thanks to your idea of this in a previous video) this year and my daughter loves it! She is in 4th grade. She has so much fun with it! Thanks so much for sharing this idea! I love the idea of doing a news letter and a journal like you are doing. I may add that in next year. Right now she is doing a gratitude journal every Wednesday. Thanks again for sharing!!
This is just what I needed, thank you!!! I live in the Midwest and am the only one homeschooling an only that I know in our large friend network. It can feel isolating so I’m so glad to have found your channel. ❤
I highly recommend Steven Spielberg's film, Close Encounters of the Third Kind!! Devil's Tower plays an important role in the story. Like E.T., the film is very positive and not too scary. 🙂
