It is a question that can catch a homeschooling parent completely off guard.

Perhaps your child has always been homeschooled but has become curious about school. They see school buses, sporting events, dances, lockers, and groups of friends portrayed in movies and online. From the outside, school may look exciting.

Or perhaps your child attended school before you began homeschooling. They may miss their old friends, familiar routines, extracurricular activities, or the feeling of belonging to a larger group.

When your homeschool child says they want to go to school, you do not need to panic. And you should definitely not assume that homeschooling has failed.

Instead, listen carefully, discover what is really behind the request, and respond with both compassion and parental wisdom.

Don’t miss the big giveaway towards the bottom of this post!

What to Do When Your Homeschool Child Wants to Go to School

Begin by Finding Out Why Your Child Wants to Go to School

The first question to ask is not, “Should I put my child in school?”

The first question is:

“What does my child believe school will give them that they don’t have now?”

Children rarely ask to attend school because they have carefully compared educational philosophies, curriculum quality, classroom structure, and long-term academic outcomes.

More often, they are looking for something else.

They may want:

• More friends
• More time with a particular friend
• Access to sports or activities
• A larger social circle
• Greater independence
• A more predictable routine
• Time away from their parents
• The experience they have seen in movies or on social media
• An opportunity to see a boy or girl they like
• Relief from a homeschool routine that is not currently working

Do not dismiss these desires. Some of them represent legitimate needs. Your child may truly be lonely, bored, discouraged, or craving more independence.

However, recognizing the need does not mean you must accept your child’s proposed solution.

Your child may correctly identify the problem while choosing the wrong way to solve it.

Listen Without Immediately Debating

When children ask to go to school, parents sometimes become defensive.

They may begin listing everything wrong with public school or reminding the child of all the sacrifices the family has made to homeschool.

That response can cause the child to stop talking before you discover what is really happening.

Begin with questions instead:

• “What interests you about going to school?”
• “What do you think school would be like?”
• “What do you feel you are missing?”
• “Is there something about homeschooling that has been difficult lately?”
• “Are you feeling lonely?”
• “Are you hoping to spend more time with someone in particular?”

Listen calmly. You are gathering information, not surrendering your authority.

A child who feels heard will usually be more willing to hear your answer.

Do Not Confuse Listening With Letting the Child Decide

Parents should listen carefully to their children, but listening does not mean handing children the responsibility for major educational decisions.

Children and teenagers can offer valuable insight into their needs. They should be included in age-appropriate conversations about their education. But they do not yet possess the experience, judgment, or long-term perspective necessary to make every decision for themselves.

Parents routinely make decisions children do not completely understand.

We decide what food enters the home. What media they may consume. Which environments are safe. What responsibilities they must fulfill. Which influences should have regular access to them.

Education is no less important.

You may trust your child’s intentions while still questioning the environment they want to enter.

A parent might say:

“This is not about whether I trust you. I trust that you want to make a good choice. But you would not control the curriculum, the classroom, the other students, or the influences surrounding you. It is my responsibility to consider all of those things.”

Your child’s feelings matter. But the final responsibility still belongs to the parent.

Avoid Treating Homeschooling as a Temporary Experiment

One of the most difficult ways to begin homeschooling is to tell your child:

“We will try homeschooling for a little while, and you can always go back to school if you do not like it.”

Although this may sound flexible and reassuring, it can prevent a child from ever fully adjusting to homeschool life.

Every difficult lesson, lonely afternoon, disagreement, or disappointing day becomes evidence that homeschooling “isn’t working.” Going back to school remains an escape route.

The child may resist forming new routines or friendships because they are still waiting to return to their previous life.

Homeschooling inevitably includes difficult seasons. Parents become tired. Children lose motivation. Curriculum needs to be changed. Social needs shift. None of these problems automatically mean that the family should abandon homeschooling.

When parents have thoughtfully decided to homeschool, children need to know that the family is committed to making it work.

You might say:

“We are a homeschooling family, and we are not planning to enroll you in school. But I want to understand what you are missing so we can work together to improve your experience.”

A firm answer is not the same as an uncaring answer.

In fact, removing the uncertainty can help children stop campaigning for school and begin working with their parents to build a better homeschool life.

Address the Need Beneath the Request to Go to School

Once you understand why your child wants to go to school, address that concern directly.

When Your Homeschool Child Wants More Friends

Friendship is one of the most common reasons homeschool children ask to attend school.

It is reasonable for children to desire companionship. Parents should take loneliness seriously. However, placing a child in a building with hundreds of other children does not guarantee close, healthy friendships.

A child can feel deeply lonely in a crowded school.

Rather than treating school as the only source of socialization, help your child develop relationships more intentionally.

Look for:

• Families who share your values
• Homeschool clubs
• Church activities
• Community classes
• Volunteer opportunities
• Sports or physical activities
• Debate, theater, music, art, or photography groups
• Regular gatherings with one or two compatible families
• Online homeschool classes with supervised social opportunities

Do not merely search for children who happen to be the same age. Look for families whose character, priorities, and direction complement your own.

Children should not be forced to like someone simply because their parents approve of the family. However, parents can create opportunities for healthy friendships by bringing compatible children together.

Quality matters more than quantity.

One loyal friend who encourages your child toward wisdom, faithfulness, and excellence can be far more valuable than a large social circle built around popularity, rebellion, or constant comparison.

When Your Child Misses Activities

Sometimes children are not asking for school itself. They are asking for something associated with school.

They may want to join a sports team, choir, dance, graduation ceremony, more competitions, or a more regular schedule outside the home.

Once you identify the particular activity, look for ways to provide it without abandoning your educational convictions.

Community organizations, homeschool leagues, private instructors, churches, libraries, museums, online academies, and local businesses may offer many of the same opportunities.

You may not be able to recreate every school experience—and you do not need to. The goal is not to copy school at home. The goal is to meet your child’s genuine developmental needs in a healthier and more purposeful way.

When Your Homeschool Child Wants to Go to School Because They Are Bored or Unmotivated

A request to attend school may reveal that your current homeschool routine needs attention.

Ask yourself:

• Is the curriculum too easy or too difficult?
• Does every day feel exactly the same?
• Is my child working alone for long periods?
• Does my child have meaningful goals?
• Are there opportunities to discuss ideas?
• Is my child learning practical, creative, and challenging subjects?
• Does my child know why their education matters?
• Have family tensions made homeschooling unpleasant?

Homeschooling should not simply be public school worksheets completed at the kitchen table.

Children need books, conversations, projects, responsibilities, challenges, mentorship, beauty, movement, creativity, and opportunities to use what they are learning.

Your child may not need school. Your child may need a more engaging education.

When Your Child Wants Greater Independence

Older children sometimes associate school with freedom.

They imagine having their own schedule, spending time away from their parents, making independent decisions, and participating in a world that belongs to them.

The desire for growing independence is natural. It should not be ignored—but independence must be developed gradually and responsibly.

Consider giving an older child:

• Greater control over the order of assignments
• A role in selecting electives
• Independent projects
• Volunteer work
• A part-time job
• Leadership responsibilities
• Opportunities to teach younger children
• Supervised social time
• Responsibility for planning and completing long-term goals

Children do need room to mature. They do not necessarily need to enter a traditional school environment in order to do so.

Explain Why Your Family Homeschools

Children are more likely to value homeschooling when they understand its purpose.

Do not allow homeschool to feel like the strange thing your family does while everyone else participates in normal life.

Give your child a positive vision.

Explain what homeschooling allows your family to do, like study subjects that schools don’t have, read meaningful books that they enjoy, move at a personalized pace, etc. 

Your explanation should not consist entirely of fear.

Children need to know what you are protecting them from, but they also need to know what you are preparing them for.

Tell them:

“We are not homeschooling because we are afraid of the world. We are homeschooling because your childhood is valuable, your education matters, and we want to prepare you to enter the world with wisdom, courage, character, and useful abilities.”

Give them something worth choosing.

Help Your Child See the Difference Between an Education and a School Experience

Children often assume that going to school and receiving an education are the same thing.

They are not.

A school is one method of organizing children, teachers, lessons, schedules, and activities. An education is the formation of a person’s knowledge, judgment, character, abilities, habits, and understanding.

A child can attend school every day and receive a poor education. A child can also learn at home, through books, mentors, travel, work, service, classes, conversations, and real-world experiences.

Remind your child that youth is brief.

There are only so many years available to prepare for adulthood. Homeschooling provides the opportunity to use those years intentionally rather than simply following the same standardized path as everyone else.

Your child’s education should help them become capable of doing something valuable—not merely help them complete the same assignments as thousands of other students.

Be Willing to Improve Your Homeschool

A commitment to homeschooling should not become an excuse to ignore your child’s concerns.

Parents can maintain a firm boundary while still making meaningful changes.

After listening to your child, you may decide to:

• Join a club
• Schedule more regular outings
• Invite another family over
• Change curriculum
• Add live classes
• Introduce electives
• Create clearer daily routines
• Reduce unnecessary busywork
• Add more physical activity
• Find a mentor
• Give your teenager more responsibility
• Set academic or personal goals together

You do not have to choose between surrendering your convictions and refusing to change anything.

A wise parent can say:

“School is not the answer we are choosing, but I agree that something needs to change. Let’s make a plan.”

Back to Homeschool Giveaway!

To make improving your homeschool a little easier, I’ve joined a special giveaway by homeschoolers for homeschoolers! Enter to win 4, $200 gift cards towards any homeschool company of your choice! Simply use the giveaway widget below!

Abbreviated Terms & Conditions: The 2026 Back to Homeschool Giveaway is hosted by Hope In The Chaos and runs from August 3-12, 2026. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older and currently homeschooling or planning to homeschool a child in their household during the 2026-2027 homeschool year. By entering, you agree to be added to the email lists of the participating giveaway partners. Four winners will be selected at random using KingSumo and notified by email no later than August 17, 2026. The complete Official Terms & Conditions are available here. By entering the giveaway, you agree to the full terms & conditions. 

What to Say When Your Homeschool Child Wants to Attend School

Every family’s wording will be different, but you might say:

“Thank you for telling me how you feel. I want to understand what interests you about school and what you believe you are missing. Your feelings are important to me, and I am willing to make changes where changes are needed.

At the same time, deciding where and how you are educated is one of my responsibilities as your parent. We chose homeschooling for important reasons, and we are committed to it. Going to school is not the solution we will choose.

That does not mean I am ignoring what you need. If you need more friends, activities, independence, or challenge, we will work on those things together. I want your homeschool experience to prepare you for a meaningful life, and I want you to understand why we believe this education is worth protecting.”

This response accomplishes four things:

1. It acknowledges the child’s feelings.
2. It maintains parental authority.
3. It gives a clear answer.
4. It promises to address the underlying concern.

You Can Be Firm Without Becoming Fearful

Your child’s curiosity about school does not mean you have lost them.

They may simply be looking at the other side of the fence and imagining that the grass is greener there.

Do not allow fear, guilt, exhaustion, or persistent pressure to make the decision for you.

Listen. Ask questions. Revisit your reasons for homeschooling. Strengthen the areas that need improvement. Help your child form healthy friendships and pursue meaningful opportunities.

Then give your child a clear and hopeful vision:

Homeschooling is not a lesser substitute for school. It is an opportunity to provide a more personal, purposeful, and powerful education—one designed to prepare your child not merely to fit into the world, but to enter it with wisdom, confidence, character, and direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I let my child decide whether to homeschool or attend public school?

Children should have opportunities to express their concerns and participate in age-appropriate educational decisions. However, parents remain responsible for evaluating curriculum, environment, influences, safety, and long-term consequences. Listening to your child does not require giving them the final decision.

Why does my homeschool child suddenly want to go to school?

Common reasons include loneliness, curiosity, missing former friends, a desire for activities, romantic interests, boredom, frustration with the curriculum, or a desire for greater independence. Ask specific questions before assuming the request is primarily academic.

What should I do when my homeschool child feels left out?

Acknowledge the feeling rather than dismissing it. Then create intentional opportunities for friendship, activities, celebrations, clubs, field trips, and shared experiences. Your child may need a stronger homeschool community rather than a complete change in educational setting.

Should I let my child try school for one semester?

Before presenting school as a temporary experiment, consider whether doing so will make it harder for your child to commit to homeschooling. If your family has strong reasons for homeschooling, it may be better to address the specific problem, such as loneliness, boredom, or a lack of structure—without making school the default option.

How can I help my teenager enjoy homeschooling?

Include your teenager in choosing electives, projects, goals, activities, and areas of responsibility. Provide meaningful social opportunities, live discussions, mentorship, work experience, volunteering, and increasing independence. Teenagers need purpose and preparation for adulthood, not merely more assignments.

Build a Homeschool Experience Worth Believing In

Blue Manor Academy helps Christian homeschool families provide a purposeful education through a literature-based curriculum, live classes, clubs, discussions, and subjects designed to prepare children for more than just tests and grades.

When children understand where their education is leading and have meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, form friendships, and pursue excellence—they are far less likely to believe they are missing out.

Your child does not need a school imitation. They need an education worthy of their future.

The post Homeschool Child Wants to Go to School? What to Do (Giveaway) first appeared on True Aim.

For most of human history, parents answered that question with a resounding “no.”

(Make sure you check out the Giveaway at the Bottom of this post!)

Education Has Always Been About Preparation

The true purpose of education is not simply to fill young minds with information. It is to prepare children for the responsibilities they are most likely to assume in adulthood.

A society that expects its children to become doctors trains doctors. A society that expects soldiers trains soldiers. Likewise, families have historically prepared sons and daughters for the lives they were most likely to lead.

Modern education often prepares children for standardized tests. Traditional education prepared them for life. That’s why it’s important to consider gender in education.

Equal Worth Does Not Require Identical Training

One of the greatest misunderstandings in modern education is the belief that recognizing differences between men and women somehow diminishes the value of one or the other.

The opposite is true.

Throughout history, husbands and wives functioned as partners, each bringing unique strengths to the family. Their roles were different, but neither was considered less important.

Every boy should learn to read, do mathematics, study history, science, and literature.

Every girl should learn those same subjects.

But beyond that common foundation, there may be wisdom in preparing each child for the responsibilities they are statistically and naturally more likely to embrace.

Gender in Education: Natural Preferences

Even in today’s culture, many occupational preferences remain remarkably consistent. Why would it be any different when it comes to gender in education?

Women continue to dominate careers involving young children, education, nursing, and caregiving.

Men continue to gravitate toward construction, engineering, military service, skilled trades, and physically demanding occupations.

This occurs despite decades of efforts to make education and career preparation identical.

Rather than pretending these tendencies do not exist, parents can acknowledge them and thoughtfully prepare children for the opportunities they are most likely to pursue.

Recognizing common preferences does not mean forcing anyone into a predetermined path. Every child possesses unique talents and interests.

It simply means that education can wisely prepare children for the lives they are most likely to live.

Specialization Produces Excellence

A common objection is, “Shouldn’t everyone learn everything?” To some degree, yes.

Every husband benefits from knowing how to care for children. Every wife benefits from understanding finances. Every person should possess a broad range of practical skills.

But attempting to make everyone equally proficient in everything often produces mediocrity rather than excellence.

Healthy families have always functioned through specialization.

One spouse may become especially skilled at managing finances while the other excels at organizing the home. One develops expertise in providing financially, another in nurturing young children.

Both remain capable of helping one another when needed, but each intentionally develops particular strengths.

The same principle can apply to education.

Gender in Education: Importance of Leadership and Management 

One area almost entirely neglected in modern education is leadership.

Schools devote thousands of hours to algebra, chemistry, and literature, but virtually none to teaching boys how to lead a family with wisdom, humility, and self-control.

Likewise, few girls receive intentional training in managing a household, organizing family life, or exercising the kind of practical leadership that has historically fallen to wives and mothers.

These are learned skills—not instincts.

Without education, many adults enter marriage feeling completely unprepared for responsibilities that previous generations deliberately taught. When you introduce gender in education, these valuable lessons can be at least considered. 

Families Need More Than Academic Knowledge

Education should develop character as much as intellect.

Historically, sons were often encouraged to cultivate courage, responsibility, provision, protection, and leadership. Daughters were often encouraged to develop hospitality, nurturing, household management, wisdom, beauty, and care for others.

These ideals were not viewed as restrictions but as ways of strengthening the family as a whole.

Modern culture frequently dismisses these distinctions, yet many couples naturally divide responsibilities in similar ways after marriage, regardless of how they were educated.

Reading Preferences Can Reflect Gender in Education

Literature offers another opportunity for thoughtful specialization.

Both boys and girls benefit from reading great books.

Yet many boys naturally gravitate toward stories of adventure, courage, exploration, and endurance, while many girls enjoy novels emphasizing relationships, character, family, and social dynamics.

Rather than insisting every child read precisely the same books, parents can expose children to shared classics while also encouraging reading that resonates with their interests and fosters growth.

The objective is not separation for its own sake but cultivating a lifelong love of learning.

Preparing Children for Life

None of this means boys cannot become nurses or girls cannot become engineers.

History is filled with remarkable exceptions.

The question is not what individuals can do. The question is what educational philosophy best prepares the greatest number of children for the lives they are likely to lead.

Good education recognizes reality rather than ignoring it.

It prepares children not merely for employment but for marriage, parenthood, citizenship, service, and leadership.

Perhaps the greatest gift parents can give their children is an education with purpose—one that equips every child with the knowledge, character, and practical wisdom needed to flourish in the unique calling God has placed before them.

When education prepares children for life rather than simply for tests, families become stronger, communities become healthier, and future generations are better equipped to serve both God and their neighbors.

Back to Homeschool Giveaway!

It’s almost time for another homeschool year, and that means many of us are making curriculum decisions, planning lessons, and preparing for everything a new school year brings.
Whether you’re homeschooling one child or several, curriculum costs can add up quickly. That’s why a group of homeschool bloggers has come together once again for our 13th Annual Back to Homeschool Giveaway!

This year, three homeschool families will each win a $200 gift card to the homeschool curriculum company of their choice. Whether your family uses The Good & the Beautiful, Gather Round, Notgrass, My Father’s World, Rainbow Resource, or another favorite publisher, you get to decide where to use your prize.

The giveaway runs July 15 through July 24, so be sure to enter before it closes.

Simply complete the entries in the SweepWidget form below. Every participating blogger has helped make this giveaway possible, and each completed entry gives you another opportunity to win.
We hope this giveaway is a blessing to your family and helps make your homeschool year a little more affordable.

Giveaway ends July 24, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. Three winners will each receive a $200 gift card to the homeschool curriculum company of their choice. Winners will be selected and notified by email shortly after the giveaway ends and will have 48 hours to claim their prize.
By entering this giveaway, you agree to be added to the email lists of the participating homeschool bloggers. Please review the official Terms & Conditions before entering.
(Can be placed above or below the SweepWidget entry form.)
Having trouble entering?
If your entry is flagged as spam or SweepWidget won’t allow you to continue, please review the troubleshooting guide here:

Contestant FAQ

If you’re still unable to enter, please email Sarah at sarah@myjoyfilledlife.com with the email address you’re trying to use for the giveaway. She’ll add your email to the safe list so you can proceed with your entry.
We apologize for any inconvenience. These safeguards help prevent fraudulent entries and keep the giveaway fair for everyone.
 

The post The Importance of Gender in Education: Raising Sons and Daughters with Purpose in Your Homeschool first appeared on True Aim.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

When I was an adult before I had kids, I always bought my mom a card. It was nice, but now that I’m a mom, I know how much a handmade card from my kids means rather than a store-bought one.

All the moms in your life will smile when they see the little prints in this handmade card. It is inspired by an awesome book in our Usborne Store called Fingerprint Activities.

There are so many inspiring pictures to make with your fingerprints, and this book makes it easy to duplicate and experiment with a built-in stamp pad.

Fingerprint Mother’s Day Card

First, I made this printable with 2 different Mother’s Day cards. One says, “I made a flower with my finger and thumb. So you will have these memories for years to come.  I love you.” This could be for any Mother in your life.

The other says, “If I had a Flower for each time I thought of my Mother, I could walk in my Garden Forever…” Just click on the image below to download.

We made prints with the tips of our fingers for the flowers and then added details with a black pen. The butterfly is made by printing the whole finger for the front wings and the tips of the fingers for the back wings.

We tried a bird and a bee and some flowers of our own. It was a lot of fun, and now we have special cards for our Mothers!

If you’re looking for more Mother’s Day Card ideas, you might also like this hand and foot print Mother’s Day card!

More Book Activity Ideas!

Rebecca at Line Upon Line Learning

Lauren at Mama’s Learning Corner

The post Fingerprint Mother’s Day Card Kids Can Make first appeared on True Aim.

This simple question shows up constantly in our online homeschool community. New moms join our group or Blue Manor Academy and immediately wonder if their efforts measure up. When they ask, other moms rush in with reassurance, “Yes, you’re doing great. Yes, it’s enough.”

Although encouragement matters, so does honesty. The truth is, sometimes you are doing enough, sometimes you’re doing too much, and sometimes you’re not doing enough of the right things. This post explains all three.

Are You Doing Enough in Your Homeschool?

1. If “enough” means competing with public schools, rest easy.

I’ll tell you the comforting part about your homeschool first. If your goal is to do better than the public school system, then you’re already succeeding. Even doing nothing academically for a short season puts your child ahead in many ways because:

• Public schools teach distorted science and politicized history
• Abstract math that no one will use is emphasized, while essential math like budgeting, mortgages, and taxes are ignored
• They replace great literature with ideological “woke” texts
• Confuse students about basic biological reality
• Totally neglect wisdom, virtue, and character formation

You’re not missing out by avoiding that system. You’re protecting your children from it, and the data backs it up! Homeschoolers consistently outperform public school students across almost every measurable category.

So if your fear is, “Did I ruin my child by pulling them out?”, the answer is, absolutely not. You’ve rescued them.

2. The real danger for homeschool moms isn’t doing too little. It’s doing too much.

This is the part most parents don’t expect.

Although homeschool moms rarely under-educate their kids, they often overwater them. Just like a succulent doesn’t need daily soaking, your children don’t need every subject, every curriculum, every club, and every activity thrown at them in an attempt to “do enough.”

Here are the things many homeschool moms over-do:

• Teach every subject the public schools teach
• Add dozens of supplements “just in case”
• Sign up for too many clubs, sports, choirs, field trips, Scouts, co-ops, homesteading groups
• Try every spelling bee, Bible bowl, geography bee
• Join every church activity
• Try to win every competition

The result? Homeschools with exhausted moms, overwhelmed kids, and burnout for the entire family.

For example, one mom recently joined our group and said, “I’m exhausted.” When homeschooling becomes a burden instead of a blessing, something has gone wrong. This is not because the mission is too hard, but because the load is too heavy. Overwatering stunts growth. Overscheduling stunts learning.

Besides, kids who are constantly fed information lose the ability to process any of it. Just like a body that overeats becomes sluggish, sometimes you teach more by teaching less. Not less meaningfully, but with less noise so the meaningful things can take root.

If you need more clarity on this, make sure you check out the video below to learn more about whether you are doing enough in your homeschool!

Ask These Questions About Your Homeschool Instead

3. What does “doing enough” really mean?

Doing enough in your homeschool means focusing on the things that actually build greatness, not endless worksheets, busywork, or recreating public school at home.

Instead ask, “Is this feeding my child’s mind, body, and spirit or drowning them?”

Greatness requires:

• Sharp minds, not oversaturated ones
• Strong spirits, not stressed ones
• Disciplined bodies, not exhausted ones

Education is not about stuffing children with content! It’s about forming character, courage, clarity, and purpose. When you strip away the unnecessary, homeschooling becomes simple, peaceful, and powerful.

4. So…back to the question: Am I doing enough in my homeschool?

If “enough” means avoiding the public-school disaster? Yes, you’re doing more than enough.

If “enough” means checking every box and recreating a full schedule? You’re probably doing too much.

If “enough” means raising wise, disciplined, joyful, Christ-centered children prepared for greatness? That’s when the question changes.

It becomes:

• Am I focusing on the right things?
• Is this giving my children clarity or clutter?
• Will this help raise world-changers or overworked students?

Your children don’t need MORE, they need what is meaningful.

The Peaceful Way Forward in Your Homeschool

Once you remove the pressure to imitate public schools, and let go of the fear that “more = better,” you can finally build the kind of home education God designed for families!

Focused.
Purposeful.
Joyful.
Rooted in character, discipline, wisdom, and truth.

Finally, you don’t need to prove anything to the world. You just need to steward the children God gave you with confidence, clarity, and calm. That is more than enough.

Share this homeschool post!

The post Are You Doing Enough as a Homeschool Parent? Ask These Questions Instead first appeared on True Aim.

Now I know why the resurrection story is essential to the Christian faith.  Without it, our faith is false.  That’s why it is so important to me to teach my children all about the Easter story.  I’ve made some simple cards that I use to teach young children about the resurrection story.  These cards break the story up into six small parts that make it easy to remember.

Don’t miss the giveaway at the bottom of this post!

Games to Play with Resurrection Story Cards

These games are so simple, but young children thrive on simplicity.  Add a few Easter treats or other rewards and they’ll be begging to play over and over.  

You could play these games in lieu of an Easter Egg hunt.  Before playing, make sure you read the resurrection story from a Bible and tell the children to listen carefully so they can play a game afterward.  

I shared this free printable with my subscribers before this post, so make sure you’re on our mailing list to get updated on all our freebies! Sign up below to download the cards for free!

All Mixed Up

If you want to play this game with lots of children, print off a set of cards for each or enough for pairs.  To play, simply mix all the cards up and have the children put the story in order from left to right.  If you’re playing with a big group, whoever can sort them first, wins!  

You could mix this game up by blindfolding one child or yourself!  You would mix the cards up and put them in front of the blindfolded person.  The person with the blindfold is the only one who can touch the cards.  Their partner would tell them what is on the card and help them put the cards in order by giving them verbal directions.

Hide and Seek

Another easy one; just hid the cards and have the children find them and put them in order.  If you are playing in a big group, simply print the cards off on different colored paper.  Give each child or team a color to find.  First team to put their cards in order, wins!

Can You Read My Mind?

Go over each of the cards with the children and talk about each event.  Then write down in a secret place which card you are thinking about.  The children have to read your mind by asking yes or no questions about which resurrection card they think you wrote down.

Whatever activity you play with them, may the hope of Risen Lord be with you!

Happy Easter!

Praying hands clip art from http://www.clipartbest.com/clipart-nTEnp5zTA

The post Free Easter Resurrection Story Cards! first appeared on True Aim.

Make sure you check out the full review and enter to win an mBot2 at the bottom of the post!

Why Buy a Coding Robot for Kids?

I did the ultimate test to make sure this was the best for my child! I gave it to my website developer, my 12-year-old son! He is a coding wizard, and I knew if he enjoyed it, it would be a hit for all my boys!

Coding is a subject children should be learning because it is becoming a big part of our everyday lives. It is just like a language; if they start at a young age, it will be easier to learn more advanced coding concepts when they are older. The robot brings coding to life and makes it more accessible and motivating to learn.

I set my son up with the more advanced Makeblock mBot2 Rover Robotics Kit. He built the original mBot2 in about 30 minutes, and then the add-ons took him a few hours. To program this coding robot for kids, it uses a program similar to Scratch, a free coding program from MIT.

It uses blocks to stack pieces of code to program the robot. You can then look underneath the coding blocks to see the corresponding Python code and start learning Python, the most common coding language. 

Best Coding Robot for Kids

My son loved how easy it was to code the robot and was able to program it to move right away. It’s always great when your kids can figure something out quickly and immediately get a result from their work. We’ve only used it for a few days, but he has programmed the arms to move, made sounds and expressions, and programmed it to move back and forth. I know he’ll be using it all the time with over 22 learning cases, 4 complete projects, 8 courses he can try, and endless ways to customize the robot.

It’s also durable, with solid metal parts and heavy-duty wheels. It can even go outside and works over rocks and grass. My son has many rough-and-tumble little brothers, so this coding robot for kids must be built to last. 

I can’t wait to see all my son can do with his robot as he learns how to program and control it! Maybe he can make it help with his chores! LOL

More Makeblock mBot2 Features

Some more fun features the Makeblock mBot2 has that we haven’t had time to explore is the remote control, Lego compatibility, speech recognition and programmable sensors! 

The Bluetooth remote control will be great for hand-eye coordination and developing programs for item recovery or dueling. The programmable sensors can pick up on color, movement, expressions, and more! I’m really intrigued by the obstacle avoidance function because it is exactly what a lot of cars are using right now.

The mBot2 can also be customized with Legos and with the different components that are included in the add on Rover Kit. You can create anything you put your mind to with this coding robot for kids! “Robot, pick up my room!” Now wouldn’t that be fun!?

Coding Robot for Future Education

There’s a reason so many homeschoolers are adding this kind of robot into their curriculum. They know that coding and robotics is the future of work and innovation. More and more jobs require the understanding of basic coding principals. Proficiency in these areas will provide our children with a huge advantage in careers and in business. 

Not only that, Coding robots for kids help them troubleshoot and think critically. When a program doesn’t work as expected, they’ll learn to debug it, test, and try again—valuable skills for any area of work.

I really think including a coding robot in your homeschool curriculum will give them vital skills in the fast changing technological world.

Best Coding Robot for Kids Giveaway

Enter to win a Makeblock mBot2 coding robot kit worth $150! Simply fill out the rafflecopter below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you Makeblock for providing this giveaway and robot for review.

Giveaway void where prohibited. Must be 18yrs. US Mailing addresses only. Ends 12/24/24.

The post Best Coding Robot for Kids? Makeblock mBot2 Hands-On Review and Giveaway! first appeared on True Aim.

Make sure you check out the giveaway at the bottom of this page!

Create a Catered Education

One benefit of homeschooling is the ability to create a catered education for our children. Parents of traditionally schooled kids can do the same! Many public and private schools have upped the ability for students as young as middle school to participate in classes and workshops catered to a specific trade.

Majority of colleges today offer dual programs for students to enroll in college courses to get a head start on their higher education journey. These programs are great ways for children to get their feet wet in the field of their choice, with ample time to make any necessary changes.

There are also opportunities within communities offered by small (and large) businesses for students to do things like volunteer or complete an internship. Most homeschooling families are already aware of these opportunities, but this is something parents who don’t can learn from homeschoolers because it is available to all children.

Creative Ways to Learn

If there’s one thing most homeschooling families can do, it’s find creative ways to learn. I commend traditional school teachers who try to take learning outside the box, but the learning doesn’t have to stop there. Parents can carry on creative learning at home – especially when it comes to completing homework or important assignments.

Finding creative ways to help children learn will not only take the mundane out of the process, but also allow their creative juices to flow as well. Parents can learn a thing or two about their child’s learning styles when they invite them to brainstorm creative ways to making learning fun outside the traditional school setting.

What Parents Can Learn from Homeschoolers about Socialization!

Yep, that word – socialize. What most people don’t realize is that homeschooled children are just as, if not more, socialized as traditional school children. How can this be? For starters, we have many opportunities for socialization from play/park dates, field trips, CO-OP groups, and more.

Taking socialization beyond the school setting (and even sports) can open a world of possibilities for children. Incorporating weekend field trips and library-in-the-evening days are just a few unique ways to socialize beyond the classroom.

Build a Tight Family Dynamic

With traditionally schooled children spending the majority of their time around everyone but their family’s, it may seem hard to build a tight family dynamic. This is another one of those areas that seem to be a given for homeschooling families, but again – this isn’t always the case.

Some homeschooling families experience a parent being gone majority of the time due to work. Others may encounter issues with single-parenting homes. Regardless, building a tight family dynamic takes work. Being able to spend a lot more time with our children has its rewards, yes. But, we also have to be mindful and conscious in making the most of that time.

What can public school parents learn from homeschoolers? Finding unique ways to spend time together with no distractions is the start of building that strong family dynamic. Having open conversations and times to simply relax are just a few more ways.

Enjoy the Journey

Regardless if you are a homeschooling parent or a parent of children who attend a public/private school… enjoy the journey. Some homeschooling moms would admit that educating their children at home was the last thing they thought about doing.

Some may even admit that they are not particularly happy with homeschooling at the moment. And surely the same things can be said by parents who would love to homeschool their children. In the end, it’s all about enjoying the journey and embracing the process.

I’m not saying that homeschooling moms have it all together. Nor am I saying that there aren’t things to learn from parents with traditionally schooled parents. I just want to raise awareness that we can all learn a thing or two from one another, and that’s worth noting.

CHIME IN: What are some things you’ve learned from a homeschooling mom? Let me know in the comments below!

Back to Homeschool Giveaway!

A new homeschool year will be upon us in no time! Have you started planning and prepping yet? Preparing for a new homeschool year is an exciting time, but it can also create feelings of overwhelm and stress! Many homeschoolers live on one income and have to stick to a strict budget that doesn’t always allow for much wiggle room.

That’s why I’ve teamed up with a group of amazing homeschool bloggers to make getting ready for your new school year just a little bit easier and hopefully a little less stressful for you. Our hope is that we can bless a few homeschool families (although we wish we could bless many more) and ease a little of that financial burden and help you check some extra things off your homeschool wish list this year.

Three people will win a $250 gift card to either Rainbow Resource Center or Christianbook.com – two great places to shop for homeschool curriculum and resources, with the best prices around!!

To enter for your chance to win, simply use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.  Now I know this is quite a few entries, but each of these bloggers has generously chipped in their own money to make this giveaway possible, so I hope you will take the time to do all of the entries.  And hey, the more entries you do, the better your odds are of winning! Giveaway ends July 21, 2023 at 11:59pm ET. 

Must be at least 18 years of age.  Must be a resident of U.S. or Canada to enter.  Selected winners will have 48 hours to respond to email notification to claim their prizes or another winner will be drawn.  By entering this giveaway, you agree to be added to the email lists of the participating bloggers (see the Terms & Conditions on the Rafflecopter form). a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post 5 Things Public School Parents Can Learn From Homeschoolers (GIVEAWAY) first appeared on True Aim.

What favorite books will your kids write about in their journals?

Her favorite books to read right now are from our Fun Stories, Great Lessons Series. There are 10 different books in the series and she has devoured about half of them.

We don’t want to just read them though. They aren’t that kind of story. The values they teach are ones that I want her to dwell on and remember. That’s why this free printable is a great follow up activity.

How to Use the Free Printable Book Journal

My daughter is 8 so she can use this book journal on her own. If you have younger children, you can still use it! They can draw the picture and then dictate what they want you to write for them. You could also write what they want to say on a separate piece of paper and have them copy it into the journal as a copywork activity.

When we use the journal we might not work on this right after we ready the story. It could be a day or two after which really requires my daughter to recall the different parts from memory. Of course, we go back to the book if she can’t remember something. Your child might like to start out using it while they read or while you are reading to them.

Since she doesn’t get much practice writing in this form, it is a little more difficult for her. I help her with spelling and proper grammar. It’s great practice and the areas where she can draw in make this project fun and a keepsake too!

The Free Printable Book Journal has 8 half-pages that include: Cover, Favorite Part of the Story, Setting, Main Character, Other Characters, Beginning, Middle, and End. Put your email below to download.

How to Put Together Your Book Journal

I made this simple video to show you how to put the pages of the printable together so that they are in the right order. You can staple the pages together or sew them and get extra fine motor practice.

What stories would your children like to use their book journal for?

The post Free Printable Book Journal for Kids first appeared on True Aim.

TruPlay is a New Christian Video Games app and We Love It!

As Christian parents, we all want our children to grow up with a strong faith foundation. We want them to learn about God’s loveGod’s love and the Bible in a way that is engaging and fun. But in today’s world, it can be challenging to find safe and meaningful video game options for our kids.

Christian Video Games for Kids

Enter TruPlay, a new Christian video games company for kids. Their new app, Lightside games, is filled with Christian allegories that teach valuable life lessons and biblical principles.

Our favorite game is the Battle for Eldavar. It has a positive storyline where child-like animal characters work to defeat an evil queen who vows to destroy God’s word and with it, everything good in the character’s world. There are evil monsters called Smudz that are trying to attack the Castle where secrets would give the queen the power that she needs to make evil rule. Game play is simple and has you placing the animal characters who have different powers. Certain monsters are killed more easily by certain animal characters so it does take some strategy, but it is a fairly easy game once you get the hang of it.

Another game that I always have enjoyed is the jewel game. In the TruPlay app, they call it stained glass. Match the same colored pieces of glass up and advance through the levels. Each level will reveal a piece of a stained glass picture that displays one of the Bible storiesBible stories and verses. It’s a simple and familiar video game, but weaves the Bible throughout. It’s wonderful to have these positive screentime options for my kids!

There are lots of other games that your kids might be familiar with on the app, but they contain Biblical principals sprinkled throughout and have fun relateable characters. If you use screentime as a reward, this is a great option. I much rather my children play this safe and Christ-centered app than any other video games out there!

Toxic Media

TruPlay offers a solution to the problem of toxic media. With TruPlay, you can be assured that your children are spending their screen time in a safe and wholesome environment. Their Lightside app is designed to be age-appropriate and free from any content that could be harmful to young minds like public chats, blood and gore, or negative storylines that fill their heads with thoughts that are inappropriate for our impressionable children.

TruPlay is a game-changer for Christian families. It offers a way for kids to have fun and learn about God at the same time. You can feel good about your children spending some time on TruPlay, knowing that they are growing in their faith.

In today’s world, it’s essential to find safe and meaningful entertainment options for our kids. Download TruPlay todayDownload TruPlay today and watch your child’s faith grow through play!

Enter to Win!

Enter to win this awesome TruPlay Welcome Package valued at over $100! This includes an annual subscription to the TruPlay platform, a TruPlay t-shirt, a water bottle, a bracelet, and a sticker package valued at over $100. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Which game on TruePlay do you think your kids will enjoy?

The post Christian Video Games Company Launches New App! first appeared on True Aim.

Free Mother’s Day Printables

This awesome 30-page freebie contains questions about mom and mom coupons that she can trade in with nice things to do for your mom! After they fill these out, treasure them until they are parents! What a fun keepsake and memories to make for mother’s day. Those are the best gifts in my opinion.

Some questions ask are:

If I could take my mom anywhere in the world, I would take her to?

What are 5 things I love about my mom?

If I could by my mom anything in the world, I would buy her?

Complete the form below if you’d like to get this Mother’s Day freebie!

Another fun thing I like to do with my kids, is READ to them! I get bored of reading the same things all the time so this fun Reading Bingo challenge for MayReading Bingo challenge for May keeps things interesting!

You can also win fun prizes for completing bingos and blackouts! Join my Reading Facebook group to participate and get this freebie too!

Mother’s day Giveaway!

Celebrate yourself and Motherhood this year! I’ve teamed up with a wonderful group of bloggers to help pamper 4 Amazing Moms! 
There will be ONE Grand Prize Winner and THREE $100 gift card winners – for a total of 4 winners!! The Grand Prize winner will choose between a combo Air Fryer/Toaster Oven or a Kitchen Aid Mixer (up to $300). It’s our hope and prayer that we will add to your blessing this Mother’s Day, and also show you just how much we appreciate you, our mom readers. 

To enter for your chance to win, simply use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Now I know that is quite a few entries for you, but each of these bloggers generously chipped in their own money to bring you this giveaway, so I hope you will take the time to do all of the entries. Don’t forget, the more entries you do, the better your odds are at winning!

Giveaway ends Friday, May 12th at 11:59pm EDT.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond to email to claim the prize. By entering this giveaway you may be added to the email lists of the participating bloggers. Please be sure to read the Terms & Conditions upon entering the giveaway. By entering the giveaway, you agree and acknowledge your understanding of the terms & conditions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post All About My Mom Free Printable and Giveaway first appeared on True Aim.