Comparison can creep into homeschooling when we least expect it. You can know that your child with dyslexia or ADHD needs a different approach to learning. You can see that your individualized homeschool is working. You can even have years of evidence that your child...
Read or listen to this post where I share practical encouragement for homeschooling children with dyslexia and ADHD, including how to set realistic back-to-school expectations and avoid the frustration that comes from comparing your homeschool to everyone else's. "I'm...
Have you ever caught yourself trying to make your homeschool look like the classroom you grew up in? You're not alone. When most of us begin homeschooling, we naturally picture desks, workbooks, rigid schedules, and school from 8:00 to 3:00. After all, that's the only...
Summer is almost here, and if you're a homeschool parent of a child with dyslexia or other learning differences, there's a good chance a familiar question is already circling in your head: Should we keep doing school this summer? Maybe you're feeling relieved that the...
If you’re here, there is a good chance you’re carrying a quiet question: “Is this what’s going on with my child?” Maybe reading is harder than it should be.Maybe spelling never sticks.Maybe your bright, capable child is starting to doubt themselves. First, take a deep...
In my 30+ years of homeschooling, I’ve had my fair share of seasons where I felt overwhelmed by the responsibility of teaching my kids with dyslexia and ADHD at home. When I felt this way, I was frozen with fear and unable to see where to make meaningful changes. Then...
Homeschooling a child with dyslexia can feel confusing, overwhelming, and emotionally exhausting — even when you’re doing everything “right.” Many parents worry their child is falling behind, question their teaching choices, or wonder if homeschooling is supposed to...
One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling—especially when you’re homeschooling a child with dyslexia—is freedom. Freedom from rigid timelines.Freedom from comparison.Freedom from teaching the same way schools teach. And yet… many homeschool families never fully...
Early in my homeschool days, one of the leaders of our homeschool group encouraged the families with young children to take time off from academic types of learning in the month of December. If you’re anything like I was, that seems like bad advice considering that...
Teaching a child with dyslexia can feel like navigating a stormy sea: you know your child is bright, creative, curious … but the standard classroom method isn’t a perfect fit. For many families, homeschooling becomes not just a fallback, but a strategic choice that...
If your child or teen with ADHD seems overly sensitive to criticism, you’re not alone. Many parents tell me the same story: “I try to give my child constructive criticism, but no matter how gently I speak, they take it as proof that they’ve failed.” This isn’t...
Every October, we celebrate Dyslexia Awareness Month — a time to shine a light on the 1 in 5 kids who learn differently. But after nearly three decades of homeschooling eight kids (seven with dyslexia!) and mentoring thousands of parents, I’ve learned that awareness...
When I started homeschooling more than 30 years ago, I had no idea that seven of my eight kids would be diagnosed with dyslexia. I also didn’t realize that teaching them would become one of the most humbling, refining, and freeing experiences of my life. Over the...
Mornings set the tone for the entire day. As parents homeschooling struggling learners, it’s easy to feel the pressure of academics, chores, and schedules as soon as everyone’s eyes are open. But when we begin the day with correction—reminders, instructions, and...
I've tried many homeschool methods and schedules over my 30 years of homeschooling. Our preferred homeschool methods and schedules have changed with each year depending on the age and number of kids, mom's health and a myriad of other factors. However, Morning Time...
As a homeschool parent, motivating a child with ADHD can feel like pushing a boulder uphill—only for it to roll right back down the moment you look away. You know your child is bright, creative, and full of potential. But getting them to focus, stay on task, and...
Are you a homeschool parent wondering about the best way to teach your child with dyslexia to read? You're not alone! When I first started homeschooling nearly 30 years ago, I tried pretty much every reading curriculum out there. The thing is, traditional reading...
Homeschooling a child with dyslexia in the elementary years can feel overwhelming, I know. I've homeschooled 8 of them! We can see that our kids are smart, but using traditional curriculum and teaching methods often leads to frustration. After 30 years of...
Homeschooling children with dyslexia and ADHD presents unique challenges and opportunities. As a veteran homeschool mom of 7 kids with learning differences like dyslexia and ADHD, with 30 years of experience teaching my smart but struggling kids at home, here are the...
Summer brings sunshine, freedom from routine—and, often, battles over screen time. For families homeschooling children with ADHD or dyslexia, managing screen time wisely is essential. Screens can be a tool for learning and connection, or a source of distraction and...
Finding books at the right reading level for a child with dyslexia can be a game-changer in their reading journey. Books that are too difficult can lead to frustration, while books that are too easy may not provide the necessary challenge to build skills. So how can...
When it comes to homeschooling, especially for children with dyslexia, hands-on learning is one of the most effective ways to teach. But what exactly is hands-on learning, and why is it beneficial for struggling learners? More importantly, how can you incorporate it...
For kids with dyslexia or dyscalculia who struggle to learn their math facts, structured, multi-sensory, and explicit math programs are the most effective. Here are some research-supported and widely recommended programs: 1. Multi-sensory and Structured Programs These...
If you've been around this website for any length of time you've probably heard me refer to dyslexia as a learning difference rather than a learning disability. Kids with dyslexia are not disabled, they learn differently. Research on the causes of dyslexia published...