A Cottage Education

Simple Systems That Work When You’re Teaching Teens Through Toddlers Some days, homeschooling multiple ages feels like spinning plates while someone hands you a baby. Literally. With a 17-year-old preparing for adulthood, a 13-year-old deep in middle school work, a curious 5-year-old who wants to “do school like the big kids,” a toddler who loves crayons a little  too  much, and a newborn who decides the worst possible times to nap… I’ve learned something important: Homeschooling multiple kids works beautifully when you stop trying to school each child separately. Here’s what works in our cottage-style homeschool: 1. Start the Day TOGETHER (Morning Basket Saves Everything) You can unify  any  age group with a simple morning basket: Read-aloud Scripture or poetry A simple nature topic A picture book A short discussion Your teen may pretend not to love it— but they listen. And it anchors the day. 2. Teach “Family Style” Subjects Together To save your sanity, combine: S...

How to Start With Confidence When You’re Teaching Kids of All Ages When I first began homeschooling, I imagined peaceful mornings, a tidy table, and children who eagerly opened their books. What I   got   instead was a 2-year-old pulling pencils off the table, a newborn who needed to nurse exactly when we started math, and a teenager asking if she   really   needed to write an essay that day. And yet… somehow, beautifully, homeschooling worked. It still works — even now that I’m teaching a 17-year-old finishing high school requirements, an outspoken 13-year-old, a hands-on very energetic 5-year-old, and entertaining a toddler while wearing a newborn in a sling. If you’re new to homeschooling, I want you to know: ✨  It doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. ✨  You already have everything you need to start. ✨  A gentle, home-centered education grows naturally over time. Here’s the simple beginner’s roadmap I wish I had on day one. 1. Know Your “Why” ...