Encouragement

July 10, 2015 By Trisha White

*To the Defeated Homeschool Mama.

For the 14 years that I have been encouraging and strengthening homeschoolers in Maine, one topic always seems to come up many times in a year.

Thoughts “where you assess yourself at the end of the year, and you feel pretty small and as though you just can’t quite do and be enough. Where your shortcomings in regards to schooling your kids at home are leaving you feeling defeated.” (actual quote homeschooling mom)

My reply is “From what I can see you are doing an awesome job. I have done the same thing and now that my children are all moving on into the adult world, they have strength and confidence that I never had! Do they make all the perfect choices? NO, unfortunately, but they are level headed, use common sense, have great jobs and are complimented often about their work ethics and I now know that I have done a pretty good job, Jim and I both, even with all our short comings. God is good all the time, even when we beat our self up, he is lifting us up. Please know that your children are going to get much more out of being home educated than you may see in your lifetime. It is a hard and demanding, draining, emotional, rewarding, and tiring job but it is such a blessing to be able to be with your children everyday all day and to walk with them through the tough times, teaching them how to react to situations, not only by talking to them about things but by how we handle things. I commend you for the great job you are doing.”

As the conversation went on the Mom comes to the reality that – “I think a lot of home schooling parents let their guard down and quit because it’s the easier option than struggling with the guilt of their own imperfections, or even worse, from listening to the societal lie that we just aren’t doing right by our children.” “…especially as our children get older and are on the cusp of their schooling years coming to an end. It’s terrible. Sometimes I lay awake with insomnia at night wondering if I’m doing right by them!”

Why are we so hard on our selves?

Our middle child is at boot camp right now, we couldn’t be more proud of him. He had a rough two years and has come back to what he knows is right. We just got a letter from him, (he was never a writer so we are always excited to get one) he thanked Jim for teaching him to never give up. That is what it is about. Too many just give up because it is too hard or we have to go with out or …. you can always come up with a reason to not do something.

So when the day is done and the homeschooling is completed you will have done the best for your children. We may not do it perfectly but no one is perfect. They will have fond memories of their mom or dad being there for them everyday of their childhood. It may take them a while to appreciate the sacrifice that you have given for them, but, it will come.

As I am preparing Guilford Christian Academy for another year of helping families to home educate I reflect on all the lives we have been part of. The fond memories I have of graduations, field trips, events, and just great conversations are all coming back to me. I love each and everyone of these families and I am so thankful for the Lord leading me to do this job he has for me.

Are you interested in homeschooling and would like to know the way to get started, the options you have, the resources that are available? Give me a call, stop into the office or send me an email. I would love to talk with you. If you are too far away we can always Skype as well, for a face to face discussion.

Happy Homeschooling!

Visit my blog on the Bangor Daily News at The Homeschool Hub.

*Photo credit Rachael Darrah and Kimberly Whitton

January 24, 2015 By Trisha White

Do You Have Cabin Fever?

So, it is almost the end of January, do you have cabin fever? Are you ready for spring? One of the fun things we did with our students this time of year was to take some tempura paints and paint spring on our windows? We painted flowers and butterflies etc on the windows and when spring finally got here we washed it off. Those were the days! We did so many interesting things like that to keep us sane in the winter. We would sometimes take a break and just go snow shoeing, although I did not do as well as the kids at it and they sometimes had to help me get up it was fun and the fresh air was really good for us.

Some other things you can do to help with spring fever is to visit Housing a Forest. They have lots of really cool and fun things to do from Observing Ladybugs ( they seem to last all winter here in Maine ) that gives you information and crafts to do in regards to the little red and polka dotted beetle. There is much more on the site as well but I don’t want to give it all away. I will say that she has art and experiments on there that will make any day fun.

Staying active is most helpful during the winter months so get out there and build a snowman, “do you want to build a snowman”, oh sorry, just couldn’t refrain. Other winter activities that do not break the bank is snow shoeing, snow ball fights and snow forts. Go sledding, in our area we have a lot of great sledding hills, ice skating is also offered at many parks.

Visit local (and not so local here in the big state of Maine) museums and aquariums etc. There are some places that offer free days or discounted days for homeschoolers, give them a call and ask and set up a day for other homeschoolers to go with you to get a discounted rate.

Over at Ihomeschool Network there is a list of articles all on “Surviving the Winter Blahs”. I have only read a few of them, feel free to comment on some that you have peeked at.

Have a game day! There are lots of great games out there that make learning fun and break up the monotony of the winter days. Most of all have fun and enjoy this time with your children. Remember that learning is not all from a book, there are many things that can be “learned” by doing and having fun doing it.

Please comment with your cabin fever preventives. There are many that will benefit from your ideas. 🙂

Happy Homeschooling.

November 3, 2014 By Trisha White

November Newsletter

New Office Space

I wanted to update you with a November Newsletter on some things that have been happening with Guilford Christian Academy. I tried to send it in an email and it did not work out well so I am putting it here for you all to have access to.

I have leased a new office space in Dover-Foxcroft that I will use to meet with homeschoolers and to plan classes and workshops for you.

I have several in place at this time and will list them in the Workshop/Class section of this newsletter.

I have been working hard to get the office space ready but could still use some help and items. I am looking to the homeschool community for help with this. I will provide you with a list of needs and if you can help great! If not that is okay too. It is my desire to make this a homeschoolers hub. Come in and say hello, bring the kiddos or don’t, need help with something come on in, I will be here most days from about 9 am to 3 pm. It is best to call as sometimes things come up and I have to step out but I will try to let you know on the FB page if you are on FB.

Workshops and Classes

There are many things coming down the road but this is a list of what we have scheduled for the month of November so far, there may be more and you should check the calendar for updates.

Starting Tuesday November 4^th we will hold a beginners knitting class, this class will go for 6 weeks, the week of Thanksgiving will not have a class and we will be done by Christmas. The students will be able to choose between two projects that they can make and use as gifts.

There is a limit on how many students we can take so please let me know if you have a student that would like to take this class.

Details can be found here: http://guilfordchristianacademy.com/events/event/knitting-classes/

Wednesday November 5^th will start the beginners sewing class, similar to the knitting class with a smaller limit. Please bring your sewing machine. We will have a couple available if you do not have one but it is best to bring the one you will be using. Details are here: http://guilfordchristianacademy.com/events/event/sewing/ ‎

November 10^th – Turkey Table Centerpiece Craft and Story http://guilfordchristianacademy.com/events/event/thanksgiving-t…ey-craft-story/

Friday November 14^th – Journal Project http://guilfordchristianacademy.com/events/event/journal-project/

Beginner Sign Language Starting November 13 at 1 pm http://guilfordchristianacademy.com/events/event/beginners-sign-language/

November 21^st Game Day http://guilfordchristianacademy.com/events/event/game-day/ ‎

January 6^th Tony Sohns will be coming for a one time class following the holidays. We look forward to having him monthly classes in the spring. http://guilfordchristianacademy.com/events/event/tony-sohns-bug-guy/ ‎

Needs

The workshop area is in need of folding chairs for the students to sit on. I have three tables at this time but could use another one or two 6’ folding tables. If someone knew of a business that is getting rid of a copier/printer I would be interested in taking a look at it to see if it is something that I could use. Of course finances are always appreciated and if you would like to donate please visit www.gofundme.com/gcamaine and share the link with others that would like to support the homeschool community. If you have something that you would like to share with the children please contact me. I would like to get someone to come in and do some sort of music program with the kids. I am also looking for someone to do an art session or two.

It would be real nice to have a small refrigerator and microwave so that I can bring in things from home and keep them cold or heat them up, if you know of a dorm fridge kicking around pass the word.

This space is for you to use, if you have something you would like to schedule we can make arrangements for the use of the room for a very small fee.

Thank you!

I would like to thank everyone for their support in finances, prayers and time! You all are a blessing to me, more than you know and I look forward to what this year will bring.

Happy Homeschooling.

Trisha

October 3, 2014 By Trisha White

An Office For Spreading Our Wings!

Spreading Our Wings!

It has come to the time when we need to spread our wings a bit and start to consider an office space.

With this office space we would like to offer workshops, tutoring (using local folks in the community), classes, and a place to store curriculum and science equipment that we would rent out or loan.

Over the past several years our numbers have grown exponentially. We are now reporting to over 50 Superintendents and working with them to provide the best homeschooling opportunity. It takes over a month to get the enrollments completed and another month to tie up the loose ends and stragglers that come on board that first month of September. We love what we do and need space to do it more efficiently and expediently.

In order to do this we need help. We keep our fees down and do not do this for a profit. We do this because we want everyone to have the opportunity to homeschool here in Maine. We want to allow you to have the best homeschooling experience possible. With our Central Maine Expo growing as well it just makes sense to have a place to spread out and organize ourselves. An office where new homeschoolers can come to meet with us and get to talk about their needs and concerns.

So, here we are 12 years down the road and very excited about the next stage in our service to you, the homeschoolers of Maine. We look forward to working with those in our community that can also lend a hand in this great work. Homeschooling is growing by leaps and bounds and we do not see it slowing down. Some families just homeschool for a year to get through a hard time and some homeschool for the long haul. Having completed the task with our three children we now have time to really put some things together and aid those that need it. We have had so many blessings and look forward to many more with your assistance and contribution, whether it be funds, prayers or time.

Thank you all for supporting us so that we may support the HOMESCHOOLERS IN MAINE.

Happy Homeschooling.

September 30, 2014 By Trisha White

Homeschooling High School Audio

We have completed our Homeschool Your High School Student radio broadcast.

Lisa Berry and Trisha White share with you homeschooling your high school student. They cover credits, requirements, transcripts and other various topics. Clep testing and Asvab testing are some of the resources that you can use as a homeschooler.

Please note that Trisha was on the road and so there is some static noise, we apologize for that that but there was nothing that could be done about it, as you know there are sometimes when unexpected things come up and this was one of them.

You can listen here, we are going to try and clean up the audio but for now it is what it is.

We would love to have more interaction, don’t be shy, we don’t bite. 🙂

Some of the links that were share are:

http://www.hslda.org/highschool/

www.hslda.org/highschool/brochures

https://www.youtube.com/user/homescholar

http://www.mainehomeeducation.com/

http://www.thehomescholar.com/homeschool-high-school-transcripts.php

http://donnayoung.org/index.htm

http://clepprep.tripod.com/cleplessonplans/

Out next show will be on Columbus Day, October 13th. We are not sure what we will be talking about yet, here is where we need your help.
What would you like us to discuss? Share here what you have a question or concern on, this is what helps make the show flow better. We would love to have you join us in the call, don’t be shy, it is just like having a conversation with someone over the phone. You can even be in your pajamas if you like. 🙂

Lisa and Trisha are veteran homeschooling moms who have a desire to help others homeschooling famailies. Lisa is currently homeschooling her boys and Trisha has graduated her three children and is now helping others. They do their best to be up on the laws and to answer questions while taking care of their families.

If you can listen to all the archived shows here: http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=134458&cmd=tc. You can download and put the mp3 file on your player or listen to it on your computer.

*To the Defeated Homeschool Mama.

Do You Have Cabin Fever?