This holiday season is like no other. We’ve lived through 2020 and 2021 and have plenty to tell about it. Whew! Put the “Me” back in Merry with these 30 AWESOME self-care tips for the holidays. Free Holiday Planner and infographic!

But seriously, do you feel dragged through the mud, beaten down and uneasy about 2022? Do you usually find yourself getting colds or flu at this time of year? That’s a sign of you needing a bit of self-compassion. You need to practice some self-care and I’m here to give you a BUNCH of ideas and PERMISSION to give these gifts of time, treasure and talent to yourself! You’re worth it! Yes, you are!

The beginning of another school year is upon us. Where did summer go already?!!! I’m offering you 10 back to school prayers for your kids that you should be praying (adult kids too), as they go back to school! It’s a jungle out there, so let’s send them out covered in prayer and continue to pray these ten important back to school prayers throughout the school year. . . Free printable pocket list to carry with you!

I remember the first year I went to the Illinois Christian Home Educator’s convention. My oldest was just entering 6^th grade, my middle one was going into 2^nd and my youngest was an infant. I had already done a lot of research and chosen the core curriculum we were going to use before heading to the homeschool convention, but there was so much that I didn’t anticipate. With some tips in mind before you go, you can have a successful convention experience and set yourself up for a great homeschool year ahead. There’s a free planner download at the bottom too!

It’s Monday morning . . .

Your eyes open and you’re either thinking, “Yippee, I’m all ready to start the homeschool week and so are the kids!”. Or more realistically you’re thinking, “I’d better get up, down some caffeine and get it together before everyone else is up!” As a homeschool mom of 18 years, it took a while to figure out my groove. Often times my weekly plan was mapped out on Sunday afternoon. Most of the time . . . I prepared each child’s schedule as a Word document and printed it out. It included chores and outside activities. We’d often have an informal Monday morning meeting over breakfast for the hand-off and prayer. But looking back, the most effective way to have weekly harmony and be finished with academics by Mid-May was to have my kids take control of their own schedule (risky, I know:). With them handling their schedule it also teaches them a very useful life skill–keeping track of their life.  So, looking back and compiling things that worked and didn’t work, here’s my take on Bullet Journals for Homeschool Kids: Teaching Lifelong Organizational Skills. The same bullet journal ideas can easily be used for children that attend school outside the home.

We all love our kids and want what’s best for them. That holds true for any child–even a child that struggles daily with the burden of mental illness. When your child is coping with anxiety, depression, panic attacks or any mental illness it’s heart breaking and daunting at the same time. You juggle in each situation whether to shelter them, or exercise some tough love. But is that all there is? Am I helping my anxious child the best way possible?