The 170 page ebook contains much more content than the posts you find here. It also includes a ton of resources and freebies from other websites. It was a true labor of love, and I know you will love it!
Welcome back to 10 Days of Large Family Homeschooling!
One day, as we were transferring files from one computer to another, I found this old webcam photo of me and my two oldest children. Meg was 2 and Blake was 5 and they were our only children at the time. I had started homeschooling that year. I was nervous and excited and totally ignorant of what this journey would look like.
Believe it or not, we didn’t start out as a large family. Very few people do. Most of us gradually find our way there over time. We adjust and revamp as needed and we never forget what it was like when there were only one or two children.
Frankly, homeschooling a houseful isn’t much different from homeschooling a couple of children. There’s always chaos to avoid, we’re always concerned about finances, we are always looking for ways to organize and track our homeschool, and we always have to feed someone. I’m just a small family…only magnified!
Homeschooling is a blessing.
Getting to spend 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with my children is something I would not trade for the world. I heard their first words read, I saw their eyes light up when subtraction finally made sense, I was who they ran to with a carefully scrawled signature.
We share a bond many parents today do not have with their children. We are able to stay up late talking, go on vacations in the off-season, and spend last moments with dying grandparents.
We love, laugh and live TOGETHER.
But I will caution you…
Homeschooling is not enough.
Enjoy the journey.
No matter your family size, homeschooling will not be enough in and of itself to bring about the blessing of a close-knit family. You have to live Deuteronomy 6 and Titus 2 every day. Don’t live in a house full of strangers. Don’t let the world come before the family. Cultivate the plants about your table, so that one day they will spread far and wide. Infuse them with God’s Word and watch them grow!
And please, please enjoy them. Enjoy the time you spend with them. Smile at them. Laugh with them. Be interested in them. Homeschooling shouldn’t be a drudgery. It should be sweet, sweet fellowship!
I pray the last 10 days we have spent together have been ones that have challenged you and blessed you. They certainly have done so for me.
To God be the glory!
Rana says
Thank you for sharing all of this wonderful information with us. I haven’t had a chance to read every post, but that’s the plan for the weekend. Thanks to for your ebook this is exactly what I was needing right now. What a blessing!
Jacque says
I just wanted to say that I really have enjoyed your series. I am so glad that I found your site and now I can read it all the time! Thanks! Many Blessings!
Amy says
Thank you and welcome!
Evie says
I, too, cannot imagine missing the milestones in my children’s lives. The first time they finally *got* reading. What an incredibly exciting moment! Even the first words, steps, whatever. What a heartache to not see that. The joy they have in the simplest things make every day a new adventure! Just seeing a “baby snake” (worm!) is enough to make my boys go crazy!
Shawna says
Hey! I just want to thank you for all of your posts! I will be starting homeschooling for the first time this year. I have 4 kids, 8,7,5 and 2. I have been so excited, but so nervous about this decision! Reading your blog has been a big inspiration to me. It’s also put me to ease at some things and has answered alot of questions. Again, thank you so much! p.s. I will be starting a blog soon about my adventure of homeschooling, so wish me luck;)
Teresa says
Two years ago it truly hit me straight on. As my husband drove madly toward the closest hospital, I sat in the front seat bleeding from a pregnancy complication we did not even know I had. My 4 kids sat in the back crying in fear. It was then that I realized all I really had and did not know if I had 5 minutes left to even enjoy them.
By Gods grace he spared my son and mine life. As I sat in my lonely hospital room for over a month, I learned the hard lesson of what my life was like without my kids. Sure they visited and called me to say good morning and good night. They even brought me the homework to correct, but I ,missed so much more.
Our youngest turned two, we had Easter, we celebrated our anniversary, my daughter was potty training the two year old, and my 7 year old finally mastered riding a big bike, and my 11 year old had his violin concert all in that one month.
On that wild ride that night I remember all my thought were on my unborn child. I can truly say I was not so worried about myself. I wanted to save our child. My husband was worried with saving me. He had not even thought about losing the child. It is strange what goes into your mind when faced with such a situation. I begged the Drs. to save my child, but they could not do that without saving my life.
It was a growing experience for the both of us. My husband saw what it was like first hand to have to take care of the kids everyday, and I saw all I had really been blessed with.
Our youngest is now two. He has no complications from the ordeal and even though I can no longer have more children and have many complications, we know it was all worth that month I spent laying flat on my back in exchange for his chance at a better life. People asked why we just didn’t have them take the baby right away, he had a chance to survive and it would have been better for me. I can only say God told me that he would care for us and He did. Would I lay down my life for my child? I already have and God blessed us. Everyday matters and it’s only the things I do for Christ that will last. Right now it is raising my children to serve HIM.
Amy says
Amen, Teresa!
Annie says
Dear Amy,
Thank you so much for these last 10 days, they have been such a blessing to me and my family. I could not wait to get your email in my inbox every morning.
Amy says
Awww, thank you so much! The Lord has truly blessed this series. 🙂
Mary says
Thanks for this, Amy! It’s easy to get caught up in mundane tasks, chaos, and worldly concerns when homeschooling, but when I stop and think of all the benefits I’m reminded of what a real blessing it is.
Coby says
I’ve really enjoyed your homeschooling series! I’m just starting to homeschool my kids, and I’m really enjoying it! It’s just preschool stuff (lots and lots of reading, puzzles, motor skill stuff, helping around the house, etc), but I can tell that the learning curve will be huge! I’m just trying to hear and obey the Lord day by day!
By the way, after discussing it with my husband, today I started trying the One Day Home Blessing, and I think I just might like it! It took me all day – pausing to read to the kids, make meals, etc. – but I had the children (5 year-old twins and a 2 year-old) help, and we had fun working together. It’s so nice to have a clean house!
Wendy Hoff says
Hi Amy, Thank you so much for this series. I have hung on every word and have had specific prayers answered with amazing timing. I really enjoy your blog and your example. Thank you!
Wendy (Homeschool mom of three kids from age 6 to 9 months.)
Amy says
Thank you so much for sharing, Wendy! What a blessing to hear this. 🙂
Michelle says
I have SO enjoyed this fantastic series, Amy! I wanted to read many more of these lovely home school moms’ series, but haven’t had time. You are always so real, and yet inspiring at the same time.
I have often thought about writing more about our home school life, but for some reason, I always end up writing about different things, since I feel I need a break from thinking about homeschooling by the end of the day.
You make it seem easy, but I am sure it is a lot of work, is it not?!
Anyways, thank you for putting so much time into this. It has been quite a blessing!
One more question, since you mention that you are not a morning person (like me) does your school days extend late into the afternoon and sometimes evenings, or do you still start the day early even if you aren’t fully awake before 10:30?
Amy says
Thanks, Michelle! I usually start the homeschool day around 9:30…with coffee. 😉
Marianne @ Abundant Life says
Has it been 10 days already? I have really enjoyed this series. Lots of simple wisdom here. Thanks!
Amy says
Yes, it has been 10 days! lol So glad you joined in! 🙂
Veronica says
This was my first time visiting your blog and I love this post. My children are still very young, but I plan to homeschool, and have more children. Your words were a blessing! Thanks for posting!
Amy says
Welcome, Veronica!
Elizabeth says
Outstanding post! This was my favorite one! 😉
melissa fox says
I can’t wait to start homeschooling!