CHATTY* HONEST QT 4 HOMESCHOOL UPDATE||CHANGE IS AHEAD AND ITS HARD 

I love your intentional efforts with friends! One idea would be a “country tour” you could study a country/culture each time, read a book relative to that place, learn about missionaries in that area, eat cuisine from there, etc.

I totally get the feeling of big changes. My daughter got a job at 16 a few years ago. It really messed me up with her not being home all day. She got to pick her schedule so I was still able to include her most days. Now she is graduating this month and I’m glad she’s not leaving home but it will sad not having her in lessons with us. I cried a few times but the Lord reminded me that we will still make beautiful memories with her in this season! Praying that your transition is smooth and peaceful for you and your family!

Sweet mama, I’m feeling this video so much! 😭 I can relate… I do not like this season either. My oldest is going to be a junior as well and oh how I’ve wanted to keep her with us in all things. ❤️ I never really want it to be broken up and I don’t want to let it go of things such as, morning basket etc… it feels like something (someone) will be missing and I’m dreading it but that just shows how much we love and I’m so grateful, as you mentioned at the beginning of your video, for the ability to have those times to make family memories as opposed to them having to sit in school and regurgitate facts on a paper totally away and separated from family. We are truly blessed to have had the time with our children! I would never trade it but girl, this season is hard! They do so many big things all in a span of a few years and it’s like we don’t have time to take it all in and it seems like they’re quickly slipping from our arms 😭 (sorry, i wanted to encourage you not make you sadder) but yes, i understand. I would like to read a book on how to homeschool those last years with your oldest and then how to transition and deal with all of the emotions when having to face reality and then let go when it comes to letting your first child fly the coop, per sé. if you run across any type of book like that, please share and I will do the same! Thank you for always sharing! I always appreciate you and your wisdom! (Hugs) ❤️

Quarter 4 was hard this year with a May military move. It felt too abrupt, but praying we can have a peaceful fresh new start in August.

I know... I too am filled with gratitude for this lifestyle most every day - especially now being winter here in Namibia, the public schools already start at 7am when I only start waking my kids up at 7:30 and kindling a fire for us to snuggle up and do read alouds and bible time. So BLESSED indeed.

This year my group is doing a once a month hiking/service project. We will alternate hiking one month, service project the next. We will pack lunches and eat together after each.

Wrapping you in prayer. The end of this video was emotional 😢 crying with you friend.

We went to Maui for 10 days and it took 2 weeks to get my kids on Texas time. It was BRUTAL!

I love the little coloring subscription that Kristen offers. My daughter would love those!

I was so glad we wrapped up our schoolwork early May before we went on a trip to Florida. I knew we wouldn't be feeling it once we got back!

Thank you so much for sharing! I just found your channel last week while looking over tgtb videos for help and inspiration. Found it! :) I have certainly found my self at one of those hard transitions. My three oldest are on the autism spectrum and the last couple years have been a scramble to address speech, emotional regulation, reading + writing issues, behaviors and daily routine issues. With all the new spectrum qualifications, my husband and I are likely on there as well, so I remind myself that's just God qualifying us to help our kids thru "non-typical" difficulties. Operating always in the moment 24/7 has left me completely drained and I feel like I've lost sight of the big picture homeschool goals. I know my school day will never look exactly like yours and that's okay, I'm truly inspired how each of us do most things differently yet love of our children is what drive each of us.. but it helps so much just to see how you run things and having more examples of how to organize and plan for four! My youngest is 5 so I'm dusting off kindergarten gear reminding myself to breathe. My oldest turned 12 last month and he officially jumped into puberty - teen mode overnight. Cue panic process. (Thank you for reviewing tgtb maturation that helped me and I already had it on my shelf too!) I'm well past overwhelmed at the moment, but hopeful too. Just hearing about this other mom at Arrows and Applesauce is inspiring too. I've had therapists we work with encourage me to sell online the special education aids I make for my kids , maybe in the next year or three I can help others the way you all have been. :) I have been looking at a lot of family board games that also tie into things my four need to learn. Maybe your homeschool family friends would enjoy something like that as your get together time? Dixit is a beautifully illustrated storytelling game that I'm planning to use. :) There's also the classic D&D game that would work for larger groups, with individual work to do on building a character and backstory, then how interestingly the story can unfold during game time. I just found a RPG game book based on Lord of the Rings that I can't wait to surprise my husband with. He's a fan and old school gamer. Fun fact you might already know, Tolkien and C.S. Lewis each wrote their famous books (Lord of the Rings and Narnia) after discussing together how interesting it would be to re-tell the Bible in a creative way. Oh, that could be another fun thing for older kids, comparing the two books and analyzing how each relate to the Bible.

I thank the lord everyday for this opportunity we have to be a homeschool family❤ Thank you for sharing those feelings with us🌸

So thankful you got to experience Hawaii!!! And yes, I am so thankful we get to be out in God’s creation and experience that vs. the kids sitting at desks and regurgitating facts. 😊❤❤❤ Truly a huge reason we homeschool!!!

My oldest moved out last year, and my youngest started kindergarten. To say goodbye to seasons that we love is the hardestnpart of motherhood for me. 😢 Im sure you already know, but my advice is to lean into God everyday. ❤️

I totally understand the hard of changing seasons 😢 my son is in college now so he doesn’t join us with any homeschooling activities or morning baskets. Life changes so quickly enjoy each season ❤

Aaah by mama heart breaks and celebrates with you as you enter into a new homeschool chapter. A very proud chapter ❤️ As for monthly gatherings with your friends, what about a “culture club”? Studying a culture each month and enjoying food from the culture. We get a Yumm box (monthly subscription box) each month and enjoy the snacks and read and pray about each place that corresponds in our Window on the world book- sometimes the months don’t align but we just pick a new place anyways.

Next year does sound hard. Sending a hug. 🥺❤️ Thank you so much for being transparent and taking us asking on your journey. I appreciate every video you put out.

This made me so thankful I have 10 years until my oldest will be at this stage. The thought of letting go of her even a little..oh I'll need the 10 years to prepare for that sword. Thank you for sharing.

I am right behind you with my six kiddos and anticipating the changes to come. I love your heart, and was trying to not be emotional as I watched this while washing dishes. 😅 Thanks for sharing, and enjoy your summer break! ☀️❤

We love Arrows and Applesauce!! We use so much from her and are always so happy with it!

One thing I might host is a nature Journaling "club". Where we meet out somewhere and "hike" /walk and sketch in our nature journals together. Just an idea! I would have a backup plan for rainy days.

My mama heart feels for you. This past two school years we tried just open and go all year. Which we needed bc we had so many unexpected things going on. I missed having goals and trying to hit them. I'll be planning out quarters this fall!

We LOVE Arrows and Applesauce! We are apple snacks subscribers and my kids and I can’t wait for each months new pages. So happy to see you sharing her and her amazing resources! ❤

As a working homeschool mom, this encouraged me. You’ve got this! Thank you for sharing.

Love Arrows and Applesauce...purchased a few things from her a little while back and excited to use them!!! Her work is beautiful! ❤

I felt your feelings about transition. I am a few years behind you and can feel slight changes this coming school year and know that will change so much over the next few years. I love routine and rhythms and it’s a struggle when those things change. Thanks for sharing with us! I am praying for your heart as you move into this new season and year! 🙏🏻💚🙏🏻

Thank You Ashlee, it’s so nice to know that I’m not the only one going through a transition season. This next year is going to look different to us too. Love these words of encouragement. Thank you

My favorite "meet up" type thing I've ever done was a Nature walk club, where we just met up once a week (or you could do once a month) at different nature trails local to us and did a walk. It was great for the age range and was so fun exploring around us. Another year we each bought a different pass for our local museum societies and met up once a month to explore them.

Maybe a new thing you could do is to set aside an hour or so every week (like Sunday evenings or something), where your entire family meets together (dad too) and does some sort of course/class/reading together? Like apologetics or something intentional and discipling like that? Make new "morning basket" traditions that could potentially spill over into their adult years. Just a thought, as I was tearing up during this video because my homeschool is shifting now too with jobs and different schedules. Every season has its joys and new seasons will bring a new kind of joy. Thanks for sharing, I'm always ready for your updates because I feel like I'm on a very similar path as you.

Ashlee, I completely understand your heart. Change is hard, yet you will see many seeds that have developed, and you will find a different rhythm for your days. I struggled as each of my 3 oldest kids neared and then graduated from our homeschool. There is a transition that happens as they get older. It's bittersweet. God's grace is amazing. For the first time in my homeschool career, I don't have any more elementary kids. So, I will be walking that journey too. We run our own business, and YES, on the mental load constantly. Great idea on the check-in type goals. Appreciate your videos!

We are trying a new curriculum for my two third graders......Abeka for Reading/LA/Spelling these have 180 lessons. I know this will be too much for us; especially moving away from TGTB 120ish lessons. Even though its kind of a hard decision for me to make; I decided to cut this down to 140 lessons to be more realistic with our homeschool: room for our co-op days and field trips.

This is so good as always. I’m emotional just listening! So many changes are happening at our house too! God is in charge, I still have such a hard time with know the best thing to do! Prayers for you!

What about a career exploration trip with friends, might be helpful to that older group, visiting different businesses they might be interested in

I’m praying for the new journey that you’re entering.

I definitely want to try the quarterly approach to keep organized next year! Thanks for sharing your experience and your heart! You are greatly appreciated! ❤

Awww That was so sweet and encouraging. Praying for your heart as this next year and changes approach. It’s so hard when things are good to know that change is coming. My daughter is entering 11th this coming year as well and the thought of our morning time together looking different is so hard. She started working with her dad this year a couple days and it’s so different. Cherishing these moments. ❤

I am going through the same thing is hard seeing my son getting older … thank you for sharing will continue to pray for you friend ❤🙏😊

I heard one homeschooler say they gather together once a week for PE.

Stem activities would be fun to do as meet ups. There are tons of great ideas out there.

The 2 hour time change difference to Colorado for us was TOUGH! I can’t imaging 3 hours 😮 That’s what we did, wrapped up the school year mid May, then went to Colorado end of May/early June and are taking June off. We start back up in July to finish out Math. 😊

Thank you for sharing. I relate to you a lot. Especially about my intentions and desires for routine and order and time together. It would be hard for me too. Going to schedule a consultation with you again this year as we are starting high school in our home school next year!

Sending you huge hugs mama!

I feel you with the transitions. My older two have graduated and in their careers but still at home. I have my youngest two to homeschool grades 7th and 9th which I cannot believe. It is definitely a change when they start working and the homeschool day changes but looking back I would say embrace that time with them whether it's taking them to their job or picking them up. During the time it may seem like an interruption but it's definitely one on one bonding time. I still take my oldest to work and pick them up because the parking situation is horrible but I'm thankful for the time spent with them. Oh now if my 5month old puppy would hurry up and get older, I need that transition 😂😂

We're taking a trip next April, Im not sure I could stop then and like skip all of May for school but I do rhink getting back into school will be really hard. I might have to look at my plans again and rethink it all a bit.

I was searching for an extra for our science! The animal and plant cell looks perfect!

An idea that’s been a hit with our little 4 family co-op has been reader’s theatre! There are scripts out there for all ages and subjects so we’ve had some fun with those ❤️

I think it would be fun to do a "kid cooked" pot luck where the children talk about their baking or cooking experience and process. I think I will have my kids do that. I love your content! Thank you for sharing!

Im nesting our homeschool room now. 😊

Oh yes, the gratitude for doing doings different is really fulfilling and I wish that I see that more often in the thick of it... of course, being in Hawaii is amazing, I'm sure since that will never happen for us, unfortunately. Thank you for the encouragement.

I'm somewhat newer to homeschool. I overall love it n plan to continue but I also easily feel overwhelmed. How do u handle it all mentally? I also have 4 kids. Youngest 2 still need alot of one on one. I have a hard time with the energy n motivation needed which sounds bad cuz like I said, I do love it but hard to explain. I admire watching homeschool moms like u who are so involved n got a rhythm . I keep praying n want that energy to have a better routine etc.

Could you do an art club with your friends? Every month study a different artist, some of their most famous works, then try your hand at doing a piece in their medium/style?

My oldest will be a senior next year, and the transition is hard. Her junior year was the hardest academic wise, with dual enrollment and getting those last major credits in. It's weird to look ahead to her senior year where she'll be dual enrolled, having a couple of easier classes for electives, and working part time. My two younger kiddos are going to be on their "normal" school track, but without their sister along for everything. It makes me so sad to think another year ahead and know that my daughter won't be joining us for anything because she will have graduated.😭 But I think it is God's graciousness that allows us to experience these transitions slowly, a year at a time. The gradual letting go is hard, but I am SO THANKFUL that it is not all at once for us as homeschoolers. ♥

The quarterly lesson check points that I saw in one of your beginning of the year videos was a game changer for me this year! 🙌🏻 Thank you so much for sharing that. It was genius and helped us stay on track. 🎉

An idea: One of my friends with teens, has been doing career exploration with her oldest and a friend. She said they watch videos, research average pay in different places in the country, what training you need, etc. Sometimes she even finds someone in that field to come talk or meet on Zoom. I feel like all ages could enjoy something like that.

What about a fitness club of some sort? My kiddos did a run club and really enjoyed it

No kidding about the end of the year and struggling to get to the end! We have struggled since time change!

I have a group like that. We span preschool to 8th grade next year. We have done, Crafts, Poetry and Directed drawing. Next year we’re moving to strictly just hanging out and enjoying a couple hours together. Art Lessons from Yellow Spot: Sun would be my recommendation. You could do video led or the seasonal lessons. 😊

My daughter, who’s the oldest is a rising junior too 😢. It’s gutting … ❤

Love her account !

Hi Ashlee :) Love your Channel! Thanks for sharing so much. You are a blessing. I am wondering do you have a video, or any information on how you do your Book Clubs? :) Thanks x

What about hosting a monthly art class? Each mom could take turns each month coming up with the art project.

I am curious, since you have started using some BJU, have you looked at using their parent/student hub? My style is somewhat like you, do next thing - I have never used a homeschool planner and tried to plan every day of the year. But I have done quarterly checkpoints, and the hub does intrigue me…. I am also in a “new season”, I have graduated two kiddos, 3rd is a senior and will be doing dual credit this year and then I just have my baby to school - who will be a freshman. But it is going to be so different with just the two of us. 😢. Trying to figure out ways to keep it fun for him.

Your World Watch links says it’s outdated. Do you have another one? Thanks :)

What about a nature study?

An idea could be gameschooling? For the suggestion for something to host 😊

Random question, but what is the ?vanilla powder you add to your coffee? I don't think it is from Amazon. Thx

Teach me Health and Homeopathy by Paola Brown....... This is a fun leaning homopathy course if it is an interest to you.

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Maybe host a themed arts & craft session quarterly/monthly and pair it with a complimentary poem / quote... since I've seen that you, like me 😅 , are not the weekly crafty type of homeschool mom.

Doing some sort of art study could be fun. Learn a little about an artist and they’re style of art and replicate it. I have a book that has it all layed out.