This summer, my fourth child is now my size, even though she is only 12. Many children outgrow their mothers. The unusual thing here is that I am 6’0” and three of these four older children are daughters. We have a remarkably tall family. Now that two-thirds of my children are nearly fully grown, we felt we could justify the expense of two adult XL mountain bikes. Our home has easy access to trails, so, without pausing to read an instruction manual or get feedback from experienced bikers, we began biking.

I’m a homeschooling parent. Here are four ways my summer is likely different from yours. Doing Algebra Poolside For my family, school continues year-round. We don’t have an official “last day” in June, nor do we have an official “first day” in September. We keep going. This horrifies many people. “Your children NEED a vacation,” decry some skeptics. “That is not a humane way to live,” is the accusation. By continuing academics throughout the summer, I send two important messages to my children.

Uncrowded, empty stretches of beach. Single family homes lined up behind the dunes. No lifeguard on duty. This is our experience each time we visit the Barrier Islands near Wilmington, North Carolina. What does it mean if there is no lifeguard on duty? No supervision. No additional help. No one else to blame. Sounds like homeschooling. Benefits of a Lifeguard Since we have a neighborhood pool in walking distance to our home, my teens have chosen lifeguarding as their summer job.

In our family, summer continues throughout the summer. Here are some of the books we’ve enjoyed reading and some of the MOOCs we use to learn. No affiliate links here; just my personal recommendations. Books The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements by Sam Kean How to Read the Constitution–and Why by Kim Wehle

There are many things I love about homeschooling conferences: meeting new people, the energy of a live audience, and the feeling of belonging. Being together as a large group of homeschoolers is balm for the loneliness we sometimes feel in this solitary endeavor. I enjoy hearing passionate speakers introduce new topics. Despite these perks, though, there are some disadvantages to these conferences. Only a few people are heard. (We don’t often hear from those that are just beginning their homeschool, or those that lack confidence and are teetering on the edge of their commitment.

Baselang is an outstanding way to learn Spanish from live language tutors. I highly recommend their program. The program is unlike any other. For one flat monthly rate ($150 at the time of this writing) you receive one month of unlimited Spanish lessons. Actually, they give you the first week for only $1 so you actually get five weeks of lessons for only $151. Previous to using Baselang, I had used italki, another language tutor program.

There are many dimensions to success, but these ideas are the ones I often consider. In my experience, success is a brief moment; there is no fermata. Success is a glimpse. Homeschooling in the present tense gives me consistent glimpses of success, fleeting though they are. Success is easily identifiable progress. Success is the ability to concentrate on a single task. Success is completion of difficult academic coursework. Success is a broad education including many areas of study.

As we’ve continued learning Spanish, we are finding more resources that support our learning. Here are a few of our favorites. If you are a beginner, start here . If you’d like information about language tutor programs, start here . Example Sentences One important activity for intermediate learners is understanding how to write well. This site has great examples of how to use the words. Reading As we become more proficient in Spanish, we are ready for books.

“I know zero Spanish.” Where can I begin? This was me just a few years ago. I had no skills, no familiarity, no ability. I’d like to share these resources with you, since some of what worked for me might also work for you! Pimsleur These language lessons are the perfect place to start as a beginner. From the first day, you begin speaking the new language. The activities are highly interactive and use spaced memorization to help review the concepts.

Are My Kids on Track? The 12 Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach by Sissy Goff, Melissa Trevathan, and David Thomas Here are my thoughts about this parenting book. Strong Emotional Vocabulary In the book, the authors recommend, “people of all ages develop an emotional vocabulary and learn to navigate emotions.” Being able to talk about what we are feeling with precision makes a big difference for me.