I hope this video is an encouragement to you all! If you want to check out skillshare, click the link right here: ***The 1000 people who click the link will get 2 free months of Skillshare Premium: skl.sh/graceandgrit09201
This video was so needed! I always wanted to homeschool but didn’t feel capable but after the remote learning experience once the schools closed I knew I wasn’t going to put my boys through that again (5 and 8 yrs) So I am homeschooling this year. Nervous but excited and this video put what’s important into perspective!! Thanks!
I’m used to living a life that people around me don’t agree with. Got married young, had more than 2 kids, believe in Jesus, homeschool my kids, am a conservative. That’s pretty much the list of things that people like to argue about/give their 2 cents about. I find it hilarious that complete strangers think they have a say in how I live my life!
"Best days of your life" you had me in tears. I'm in this season now, three kids ages 4.5, 3, and 4 months. I watched this while wearing my baby and cleaning the kitchen. Thank you Ashlee for all your encouraging words. You are a gift to this community ❤
Today, homeschool left me in tears and me asking myself “am I doing enough?” and “am I doing a good job?” I needed this video so stinking much! It was truly a God send! Thanks so much for the amazing advice!😭🙌🏼
As a momma of 2 graduated homeschoolers and 1 still in the nest I just want to tell you that I wish in my early years there had been someone to mentor me. What you are doing for young and some new homeschooling moms is sooo essential! Keep up the mission God has given you😊 ( and you are right... you will see the fruits of your labor in little ways along the way and big ways later on) Many blessings to you 🌻
These last two points touched me so much. I have had clarity about homeschooling for a while, but as I get closer to taking the real leap of faith, because my son is 4 and all of his friends are starting pre K or Kindergarten, I have started to feel so much doubt and worry about if I am being selfish or stealing something great from him. But in my heart, I hope this can be something even more beautiful and a gift to him. I'm going to have to save this video to watch again. ❤
In my case, homeschooling means to leave the country as in Uruguay the state has the monopoly of “education”. That means that they can instruct your children even in things against your beliefs. Of course they decide what Your children should study (currículum), when, and how, and they don’t ask for your opinion. Is like you are a cow in a farmer’s farm: your offspring belongs to the state and they decide for you what’s best for your own child because anyway your children belong to them. So, I feel blessed for having the chance to move to another country with education freedom, and sometimes I feel very angry or frustrates with people that have that right, that freedom, and they have the conditions to do it but they simply prefer to delegate that blessing to a third party that don’t even know And/or love Your child. For some people in the world, just to get the right to educate their children at home is an enormous sacrifice.
Hi Ashlee, I'm in the last year of home schooling my 8 children( 6 college graduates and two half way through their associates degrees)! This is our 26th year!! I just wanted to say that you gave great advice ! I am chatting a lot with my niece that has decided to teach her children at home and she is really afraid that she will make mistakes. I turned into your video today in hopes that she would benefit from your advice!! I will be sharing it with her. God bless you on the journey!! Paula
This was all so beautifully put. Homeschooling really is such a refining fire and I feel incredibly blessed to be able to do it. My mom homeschooled myself and my 3 siblings and oh what a legacy she's given us!
This Homeschool House It's so rare to hear from an adult homeschooler. So glad to hear of your positive experience and your respect for your mom. I am always wondering how my kids will view their childhood and homeschool experience when they get older. I try my best to make it as amazing as possible. We take field trips, learn about amazing stuff that I never even learned about, have lots of friends, and I see how much they're learning and feel great about what we're doing often. but sometimes it's really hard. Sometimes we argue, and I'm afraid they'll only remember the challenges or wish I had done things differently. There are glimpses I get where they show gratitude for how they're being raised, and I'm so grateful for those moments, but I worry that when they get older and see other ways of doing things that they'll pick me apart for the choices I made and how I did things. I just want to give them the best childhood and education that I can, and I hope they see that when they're older. Your comment gives me hope ❤
As a "just-starting-out" homeschooling mom, kids ages 5, 4 and 2...this video is gold to me. Thank you. I savored everything you said. Also, because you are such on honest, straight-forward, no-nonsense type of person...I (and probably many/most people) am able to take your encouragement and practical advice very seriously. I know you didn't just try to think up some good-sounding reasons to make a youtube video--that is evident, as it is with every video you post. Thank you for your presence here on RU-vid. I have a lot of respect for you and appreciate your content so much. Also, I cried when you said these are the best years. I know you are right, and so I try to remind myself of this every day, and be present and cherish it all. Thank you for that reminder of truth.
The extended family “pop-quiz” is real! My 8 yr old couldn’t figure out why grandma always wanted to know every detail about her day and exactly what she was learning along with proof of her work... I finally just told my daughter that grandma (who is an educator) loves you enough to make sure you are learning and will never really understand why we homeschool. One thing I love about you and the way you share, is how you always share just enough about your journey and how you do things without making us feel like we need to be doing it the exact same. Some of our best ideas for our family have been sparked by something you said or did!
RU-vid took me back a year to this video after I caught up on your content this week and I have to tell you how much this blessed me! I have a kindergartner and twin 1 year old girls. Your words spoke right to me! “You are living the best years of your life”. I needed this perspective. Just here to say, thank you.
10 years in for us, and I’d add that the things I worried my kids would “miss out” on are the EXACT things that have KEPT us homeschooling. God had so much foresight in our family, and I am beyond thankful every day that He led us to homeschool bc He knew what was ahead.🙌🏼 Thanks for this video. ☺️
I needed to hear this advice. This is my first year homeschooling my son kindergarten. I never expected to be here. A friend said to me recently “Gods plans are better than our plans.” Not many people were supportive of our choice, I worried if I was making the right decision, if I was doing enough, what his future would look like etc. On the hard days I felt like I was making a mistake. My heart is finally sinking in comfortably with the decision and full of hope for the future. Thank you.
This is our second year homeschooling. We had a very rough day today that had me questioning everything and I am so grateful for this video. It was just exactly what I needed. Thank you. ❤
Awhh THANK YOU so much for this video it had me tearing up. I have no friends or family that homeschool. I've been watching your videos since we decided to start our homeschooling. All of your advice and thoughts on education have really, truly helped us. I often find myself looking ahead thinking they need more information, more grammar, more projects, etc etc. looking back and saying I could've done more here and there. They are learning though and I know that some of the best times come without a plan. This video was so needed right now!
I totally understand the one day at a time focus. Definitely time and emotion wasted. I read in spurts. I absolutely stick to the basics in the younger years. You’ll always feel you’re not doing enough.
Thank you Ashley for great advice. I have two kids - 4th and 7th graders- and seriously considering homeschooling as I feel public schools have robbed them of joy of learning. Watching your videos have been really helpful. Thank you for being so giving and genuine. 💓
I have a 8, 4, and 3 year old and my husband also works nights and when you said these are the best days I literally burst into tears. They really are though and I try so hard everyday to soak them all in
Sometimes even as a homeschool mom four years now you relearn lessons over again. After the first week back I was exhausted from doing all the things. This week I streamlined and we are doing much better. I have to constantly stop myself from trying to do too much.
I needed this. I really want to homeschool and I have so many fears about what people will think as well as will I be able to do it right, and having to also work. But I really feel in my heart this is what the Lord wants me to do. I have a year before i legally need to have him in school but even now everyone asked about preschool. So much pressure but I want to make the right choice.
Just discovered your channel and I'm loving it. I was homeschooled myself, but now I'm just starting to homeschool my kids and it's been a learning experience 😂
I absolutely loved the part where you talked about how these are the best days of our lives. I just started homeschooling my 5 year old and I have a 3 year old, 1 year old and I'm 12 weeks pregnant with my 4th. I get horrible morning sickness and some days I've just had to teach my daughter while laying on the couch trying not to puke. It's been so hard but I know it will be so incredibly worth it. I really have been loving it so far and cant imagine life any other way. Thank you so much for the encouraging words ❤
Thank you for your videos. I just started watching your videos today, and I really appreciate your approach and tools. I am a mother of 4, I work a full time job from home, and I often struggle with juggling it all. I have spent the first 3 years of homeschooling without many resources. We once purchased a Christian curriculum, and we were disappointed and full of regret over the money lost. Thank you for sharing your resources!
I would say this was your realest video yet. I appreciated your words and you are a seasoned veteran now. I signed up for skill share through your link and if you pay for the year it’s literally a cup of coffee a month and my husband, daughter, and I have all enjoyed our first class.
I’m so glad I watched this today. We had a difficult day with homeschooling but you’re right...these days are some of the best days of my life. As a mom of 2 that are already in college I can say that these days are precious and go way too fast!
Hi Ashly , I'm a new homeschool mom and thank God I found this channel. I really need to to hear this. Thank you for sharing your experience and God Bless you.
Thank you so much Ashlee for this video!! I'm going into my second year of homeschooling my 11 and 8 year old. You have no idea how this video has me in tears!! I will definitely take every bit of your advice!!🥰🥰🥰
Love this so much! As a mama who had 4 babies in 5 years and who has a husband working the graveyard shift AND starting my homeschooling journey, I definitely needed the reminder to savor this time because it really will be the best time of my life. Thanks for your encouragement ❤️
This is so beautiful!! Thank you so much Ashlee!! I was feeling overwhelmed yesterday and watched a few of your encouraging videos and I feel so much more confident today! I found you back in 2020 when we first started homeschooling and your sharing your heart with us is so very helpful! God bless you and your precious family! Our family is thankful for you! (Forth Family Day School Pensacola, Florida) Come to the beach some time down here...it is absolutely breath taking!! Lots of love to you! Angela Grace
This video made me choke up. It was a beautiful reminder why I chose to do this. It’s so hard sometimes but you’re so right Ashley. Thank you for sharing such great advice, it put some things into perspective for me.
I’m a new homeschool mom. My littles are in kindergarten and preschool. My husband and I are going through a tough season because I’ve lost my job last March due to the pandemic. So I really needed to hear all of this, thank you 🙏🏼 😭
So thankful for this advice! I've yet to build any sort of homeschooling community and I'm just trying to learn all that I can as far as curriculum, general approach, scheduling, community engagement, outings, etc... it can feel overwhelming at times but these are amazing reminders. I'm excited to find our rhythm and start this journey very soon!
I loved the part about reading books! Instilling a love of reading in your children is everything! I also think reading comprehension is huge. We're not always going to love what we're reading (instruction manuals, etc.) but truly understanding the text is vital.
Thank you so much for sharing this!!!! Seriously best advice ever, I think every new homeschool mom should watch this video lol!! It really blessed my heart, thank you ❤
Thank you so much. I've been homeschooling my 3 kids for a total of 4 years now. They're 14, 10, and 6. It's been 4 years and I still have 0 approval from ANYONE, literally ANYONE (apart from my husband), in my family about my decision to homeschool . When I first began homeschooling, my parents (namely my dad) stopped talking to me for about 3.5 months. I appreciate this video. Thank you.
This made me emotional!!! Especially since i have littles. Thank u sooooo much for sharing ur words of wisdom Ashlee ! I love ❤️ u girl. Shout out frok California!
Completely agree with reading to your kids! My 22 year old daughter, who was always homeschooled, is constantly reminding me of books I read to her that I now must read to her little brother. The memories are priceless!
I really like this video. This is my first year. We aren’t doing any virtual but I chose all the curriculum myself... which of course I doubt my choices all the time. But I have a 8 and 9 year old. 4th and 2nd grade. But I like your point on not having to cover everything in the younger years and to savor the moments. Also the last point of not seeing the fruit of your labor all at once. Very encouraging. Thank you 💕
I just came across your channel. Im a 1st time homeschooling mom of a 6th grader and i also work full-time and am working on my Master's degree. Needless to say, I was very nervous about my decision, BUT GOD, has led me to this and will see me through it. Thank you for your advice, it bolsters my decision even more especially the 'don't wait for approval from others, because you'll never get it'. Thanks for the encouraging testimony!
I know you don't like the word inspiration, so I won't use it. But I truly believe God put you here for affirmation of mine and my husband's decision to start homeschooling our three kids. You have been such an encouragement to me to start our journey. Thank you for being open and honest about what you share. It is so greatly appreciated.
Thank you for sharing these wonderful words of wisdom. We are only 2 weeks in- newbie homeschoolers with a 1st grader and a tornado 2 year old ;) and I’ve been feeling like a complete failure. I know it will take time to get our rhythm down and I needed this reminder today to keep my focus on Jesus and on loving my kiddos. Not on getting frustrated if we don’t get thru every math problem or science question or getting upset if the baby has completely emptied all the cabinets into a pile on the kitchen floor. 😬 Thanks so much for sharing your heart and encouraging mine. 😊💕
I have a kindergartner and a first grader and the part of reading to them I learned it from you, watching your videos and we are enjoying reading together. Thank you for that!
Ashley I've watched several of your videos now and I can't even begin to tell you how grateful I am that you make these videos. I'm currently pregnant with my 4th baby, am in my first year of homeschooling and my weight is not where I'd like it to be. But you have given me so much hope with all of those concerns. I am literally crying as I write this. Thank so much and keep doing what you're doing.
Sometimes I feel like they teach me just as much about myself as I teach them about math, reading, science, etc. For instance....who knew I had such a great capacity for patience? I never learned that until I homeschooled my kids.
Ashley, you are incredible. Thank you for your encouragement. I'm going on year 2 homeschooling, and you've really helped my first year go so well. Thanks for your strength and bravery to share your home school journey with us. I learn so much from you! It blesses so many of us! Hugs!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and all those things you would have told yourself. It really encouraged me; I only have a preschooler at the moment with a 7 month old to follow lol but your video helped give me a little peace of mind about homeschooling.
Yes, enjoy them while they are small and learning through play. I also got emotional when you said these are the best years of my life, I have 2 toddlers and I am pregnant so every day is hard work and a battle of wills but the joy of watching them learn and their innocence I cherish every day too 💚
Watching this today, The thing I am thankful for is that I was able to focus on what we were doing this year because I didnt think I would be continuing to homeschool. Now, I am excited to homeschool again next year. I learned from the beginning to take it one year at a time.
Oh my gosh just hearing that acknowledgment of how hard this is and that it really truly will be worth it because some days are seriously so challenging. So, thank you for that.
I was super encouraged by your video tonight ❤️ I have a 4.5 & 2.5 year old girls, and am 40 weeks pregnant with our son and I’m so thankful for these reminders to savor and soak up the early years of our homeschool journey. I find some moms take it as a badge of honor to be so “busy” and “wiped out.” But I’ve learned from older moms that there is no gain in this, that it’s easy to miss out on so much. I have chosen to not do all the “things,” or be all the “things,” so take I can take slower pace in my days so I can enjoy these years. And you are so right about waiting for the day to win over someone’s approval about home schooling - I needed this reminder. I have a family member who constantly asks over and over or makes the same comments about our choice to homeschool. Thankyou for your encouragement :)
My small fry is about to turn 3 and I am already torn between school outside our home and school at home because we have to get on wait lists now in the event the world has calmed down by then. There are so many benefits to both...but he will have the world forever and only be young once. Your points in this video definitely speak to me 💚
This felt like a walking (I was walking!) meditation and gratitude walk for me. It was so helpful and such a good reminder. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you for this. I'm going into my 4th year of homeschooling. My mom is a elementary teacher and always makes me feel as if I'm not doing enough and tells me to look up the school standards. I am very proud of the good and the beautiful curriculum and it really brings me down she always has these negative thoughts.
I taught public school for 10 years before starting home with my kids. Those standards are set for kids to pass standardized tests. They are not helpful in whole child education like we do in homeschool. Most public school kids aren't able to do what our kids can do. My six year old can read and write and play piano and hold a conversation with an adult. She can be respectful and use her manners. These soft skills are the ones that jobseekers look for. These soft skills are not being taught by public school. You're doing so much more for your kids by educating them at home!! Anyone who tells you different is not looking at what kids really need to learn. Don't let the certified teacher get you down. Most of us are certified and certifiable! Lol
@@bu2ful119 Thank you! She is always asking me why I dont take my girls in to take the certified tests or saying they wont get a diploma. I have sent her countless articles and videos about homeschool and still every year she says the same thing 🙄 She has said many times herself how she wishes the kids she teaches knew half the stuff my girls know or even wishing she could have one on one time. But shes always assuming the common core is better than what I am teaching. So now I have just choose to say The Good and The Beautiful goes above and beyond common core standards and we love it 😁
Ashlee, I have been homeschooling for 8 years and this is still so encouraging to me. The other day was a rough one, mostly because my kids had negative attitudes. It really helped to hear that sometimes it's not that I'm failing, it's just that my kids aren't always going to be their best happy selves and it's not my fault. Thank you!
Yessss..u spoke the cry of my heart, beloved❤️ U hit it all right on the head. 5 going on 6 years homeschooling, for my family. Every. Single. Thing. U. Said. Was. Absolutely. Relatable. Thank u for sharing this. It was a timely word of encouragement. God bless u and yours!! 💖🙏🏽
Thank you so much for this! We have begun our 4th year of homeschooling and I absolutely love it! I love that the Lord has given me this opportunity to school my kids ♡♡♡
😭😭😭 It’s like you were speaking just to me! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience!! So many good nuggets of truth! In my SUPER short homeschooling journey my middle child has already accepted Jesus. THAT is all the encouragement I need to keep going for awhile. SO worth the hard days! Random: is your comforter from Target? I love it!!
This was an incredible video!!! I'm literally going through many of the same things you mentioned. This encouraging message was just what I needed. And I totally agree that 2nd grade feels so old hahah. My oldest is there right now and his two younger siblings aren't even at an age yet for formal schooling. Makes me relieved to hear all your advice. Thank you for sharing friend.
Been a subscriber for about 3 years now. This is our 5th year homeschooling and all of your videos are so helpful and encouraging. You are wise beyond your years and I admire you for being strong in your beliefs. Not being afraid to speak the truth is rare to find in this culture. With all that’s going on with schools these days, I have had many inquiries about homeschooling. I am quick to share your channel with them, and this video is one of the best you have done! Thank you for listening to the Spirit’s prompting and sharing your heart 💜
I was listening to this video while getting ready for church this morning and I had to pause to comment because it was exactly what I've needed to hear. I have a 5 year old (we've been doing abeka k5) and a 2 year old and it has been heavy on my heart the last few weeks wondering if I'm doing enough, if I'm raising them right, teaching them enough about Jesus. It's making me feel choked up even typing this because I've been praying for patience so I can slow down and enjoy these days while not constantly feeling like a completely overwhelmed, stretched-thin mom. I was raised church of Christ and also homeschooled and growing up we had such a tight knit homeschool community within our church circle full of kids my age and like minded mothers-- but I have struggled to find a community like that here and it has felt very discouraging. (My mom is a great source of love and help and I'm so grateful for her!) But this kind of encouragement is really what I needed and I'll be watching more of your videos right away. Thank you so much for sharing these thoughts with the world, you've helped this young homeschool mama for sure. 🤍
I loved this video. I totally agree with focusing on the year at hand. I, like you, thought I was but really was forecasting also. And now, seven years later, it's nothing how I thought it would be, but it is so much better!! All your advice is phenomenal and while I'm sure this is super encouraging to newer homeschoolers, it encourages more seasoned homeschoolers too, like me! Hahah! And focusing more on what we are doing instead of what we aren't doing hit me smack dab in the heart. I needed to hear that. Thank you for always being so open and vulnerable.
This is absolutely amazingly great advice! I would have given myself this same advice and have given it too many who have asked; but to be truly honest, I need a reminder of it often!! I have been homeschooling for 8 years and a mother for 18 and life is just always changing slow learning to ebb and flow with it instead of feeling like your always failing, behind, or not doing enough is my hardest struggle with parenting and home educating my children. Its not so much comparing them with the world, its my own obscene ideas of where they should be. When they say we are our own worst enemy there couldn't be a more truthful statement. Learning to capture your thought and not allowing them to grow and Satan to use them against you is still something God is working on in my life. Thanks for the reminder and the encouragement! I know all will be blessed to hear it!!
I just watched a lot of your videos, im in the process of pulling kids out of public , and starting actual homeschooling. Great advice , specially reading ! That hit the nail for me. Thank you.
Savor it!!! So true! This is my last year homeschooling my oldest and I'm heartbroken about it, but oh so grateful for the wonderful journey we've enjoyed together!
Thank you for the reminder that we only need to focus on the basics while the kids are young. There's something that someone said to me last school year that, while planning for this school year has started to bother me: When I told another homeschooling mom that for our preschooler we were focusing on letters and numbers and only phonics and basic math for our son in kindergarten. Then, adding in things like science and geography when we find the time. She said, "That's good, I hear that unschooling works great for some families and I'm glad to hear it's working well for you, too." There's nothing wrong with unschooling but, I don't think that I'm unschooling. We're just focusing on what needs to get done now and we'll go more in depth with science, history, etc when they get older. I was going to become more serious about science, history and geography but now, I don't think I will. We'll just keep doing what we've been doing for this year and maybe I'll switch things up next year.
What an awesome video! I was in tears. I actually went back and rewatched so I could take notes. I’m helping with an event at our church (we’ve had lots of homeschoolers for years) in a few weeks that will be geared towards new homeschool families in our church and around our community just to help them and encourage them. This video had so much great information that I’ll be able to share at that event along with my own personal experience. Blessings to you as you continue to encourage others! 💕
In tears while watching this especially when you talked about your husband working graveyard. My husband was working two full time jobs for five years and we barely saw him, it was such a rough season for us all but looking back there were so many precious memories carved out from that time that I cherish now. Thank you for this amazing video and your encouraging words. As always, just what I needed to hear in this new season of motherhood. 🥰
New follower here and new homeschool mom. My son is 8, he is in 3rd grade and its already been a little hard for us. But I keep reminding myself that this is what God wants, what I want, and even my son wants this. Watching videos like yours has brought my mind at peace. Reminding myself that this is new to both of us, we both are learning, and to slow down. Funny thing is its only been 2 weeks lol. Love Watching your videos. Thank you for being real.
For me, 60% of homeschooling is just perseverance. If it's hard but in reach, that's the sweet spot. That's where learning happens. It hurts to grow, but we gotta do it anyway!
I have 2 6 years old , a 4 year old and a 2 year old. Last year we decided to homeschool are oldest. You always give us amazing advice to help me go through my days. I have always struggle about not thinking that I don't give them enough.
My family is in our 3rd year of homeschooling and the summer before starting I binged RU-vid homeschool videos to help grasp what I was stepping into. Your videos have been a part of our life since that summer. This particular video is so beautifully put together. So much truth and reminders as we are in the beginning of a new school year. Thanks for sharing and keeping things real. 💕
Been a sub for a while now; felt God led me to your channel years ago to be an example of what it is to successfully homeschool little ones with Jesus at the center of it all. God has been working on my heart for the past couple of years, to prepare me for taking the first step to bringing home my babies (12/7 yr old girls) and begin homeschooling. This week will be our first true homeschooling week (fully withdrawn from our public schools/me being responsible for curriculum, etc.)! This video couldn't have come at a better time!! THANK YOU for the wisdom and great heart-felt advice! You have shown me how to be brave and step out in faith for what God has placed on my heart to do for my babies! I will always be grateful for what I've learned on your channel!🥰
This is my 8th homeschooling year and this was such a great reminder! I have 3 boys (and one on the way). They are all in different stages (high school, middle school and early elementary and whew can I feel exhausted with all the things! 😅 This definitely helped me to feel centered and reassured that I am doing the best for them. Thank you for your words!
Can’t like this video enough! So glad the Lord put it on your heart to share this with us. I know there are so many moms, like myself, who needed to hear this today. Maybe even come back to it again later on when we need a reminder on why we’re doing this lol.
Whewwwww girl! This is probably my favorite video from you so far. Number 3 got me good. I am trying really hard to keep my planning and approaches simple because I have a 2nd grader and a 4 and 2 yo. It is so easy to think we all need all the things from curricula to activities to outings. But I am really going to take all the things you mentioned to prayer and really meditate on it with the Lord. He has been so kind to me and I am so grateful for this task of serving my kids in this season. I hope it lasts until they graduate but I will take each year as it comes. Thank you for sharing your heart and praying your year continues to show fruit all for the glory of God. 🤍🌿
