5 Books Homeschool Moms Must Read

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Every year, homeschool moms should read one book about home education. At least one. I have put the bar low because I know how busy we all are. And once you have been doing this for a few years, it might seem redundant to keep reading books about homeschooling.

Feeding the Mouth that Bites You

This book has helped me tremendously as my children became teenagers. The author has a podcast, too.

Nevertheless, reading about homeschooling helps to keep your mindset fresh and updated. Children grow up and change. You change with them. The general books about homeschooling probably hit you differently when your kids are under 10, compared to their teenage years.

Reset Your Child's Brain

Implementing this book completely changed one of my children for the better

Therefore, I put together a TOP 5 Books for Homeschool Moms to help give you a grounding for the right homeschool and parenting mindset. This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I receive a small compensation without added cost to you if you buy through the links below.

  1. For the Children’s Sake
  2. The Well-Trained Mind
  3. Feeding the Mouth That Bites You
  4. Reset Your Child’s Brain
  5. Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child

Bonus title, especially for Christian parents, The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian.

The Power of a Praying Parent

A prayer book which tackles all the aspects of a child’s life and development

Stop reading this blog now and order these books for your shelves. Get them from your library if money is tight. I strongly advise you to get your own copy though. These are classics and you will refer to them again and again.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I receive a small compensation without added cost to you if you buy through the above links.


Homeschool to College: Our Journey, Part 3

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We have started visiting universities. TN Tech is in Cookeville, TN – about three hours from our house. We started with it because we had friends who also happened to want to visit this week.

TN Tech Display

We visited the campus of TN Tech last week

Next, we will visit UT Chattanooga and Southern Adventist University, both in one day. Due to their proximity to each other, we hope to see one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. We might regret it by the end of the day. Nevertheless, we must try it. Then, we will know for sure if two campuses in one day may be too much. Continue reading »


Updated: Top Homeschool Supplies to Watch for on Prime Day 2025

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Amazon Prime Day 2025, running from July 8–11, is the perfect time for homeschool moms to stock up on essential supplies at deep discounts. With a four-day event this year, featuring daily “Today’s Big Deals” drops and up to 80% off on select items, you can stretch your budget while equipping your homeschool for success.

As a homeschool mom myself, I’ve curated seven must-have products tailored to our unique needs—think tech for virtual learning, organization tools for chaotic days, and educational resources to spark curiosity. These items are either already on early sale or expected to see heavy discounts based on Amazon’s Prime Day trends and homeschooling deal patterns from past years. Each product includes affiliate links to help you snag the savings. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you). Let’s dive into the top homeschool supplies to watch for on Prime Day 2025!

 

2025 Amazon Prime Day

2025 Amazon Prime Day is July 8-11

 

1. Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet

Why It’s Essential: Tablets are a game-changer for homeschooling, supporting online curricula, educational apps, and e-books. The Fire HD 8 is budget-friendly, kid-durable, and perfect for Khan Academy, Outschool, or Audible.
Expected Deal: Up to 50% off, potentially dropping to $49.99 from $99.99, based on past Prime Day discounts on Amazon devices.
Why I Love It: Its 8-inch HD display and 13-hour battery life make it ideal for lessons or on-the-go learning. Parental controls ensure kids stay on task.
Shop Now: Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet (Check for early deals even today).

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61ZNNp1aK0L._AC_SY450_.jpg "Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet for homeschooling"

Amazon Fire Tablet HD 8 for homeschooling

 

2. Melissa & Doug Pattern Blocks and Boards

Why It’s Essential: This STEM-focused set of 120 colorful wooden blocks and double-sided boards teaches shapes, patterns, and problem-solving for ages 3+. Continue reading »


Homeschool to College: Our Journey, Part 2

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June is quickly coming to a close and I have two things on my mind: scholarships and college visits. This means updating the Master Calendar almost every day, as I discover scholarship deadlines and schedule various campus visits. In case you are looking for Part 1, here it is.

Homeschool to College: Our Journey

Homeschool to College: Our Journey, Part 2 covers scholarships and campus visits

I started a running list of scholarships and decide to spend one hour a day researching and refining it. The student applies for scholarships, but the homeschool mom does the research. After all, a homeschool mom is a guidance counselor.

Google is listening to my conversations with various members of my family. All of the sudden, my social media feed is flooded with Sponsored posts from different scholarship gurus who offer free webinars. I book two of them and learn a lot: The Scholarship System and PrepExpert.com.

No, I will not sign up for these done-for-you programs which cost anywhere from $700 to $4,000. As a scrappy homeschool mom, I am happy doing the research and implementing the findings; let the chips fall where they may. Continue reading »


Amazon Prime Day 2025: 7 Self-Care Deals for Homeschool Moms

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We homeschool moms pour our hearts into creating enriching learning environments for our children, often putting our own needs on the back burner. With Amazon Prime Day 2025 running from July 8-11, it’s the perfect time to prioritize self-care with some amazing deals on products that promote relaxation, wellness, and a little pampering. Below, I have curated seven self-care essentials tailored for homeschool moms, plus a special note on how an Amazon Prime membership can maximize your savings. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which helps support this blog at no extra cost to you. Let’s dive into these must-have deals!

 

1. Pré de Provence Lavender Soap Bar

Indulge in a luxurious bathing experience with this shea butter-enriched soap, crafted using traditional French methods. Its soothing lavender scent and thick lather make it a perfect addition to your evening wind-down routine, leaving your skin soft and refreshed.

Pre de Provence Lavender Bar Soap

Pre de Provence Lavender Bar Soap

  • Why I Love It: Long-lasting, natural ingredients, and a calming aroma ideal for a quick self-care moment.
  • Deal: Up to 30% off select Pré de Provence products during Prime Day.
  • Price: Approx. $10.99.

 

2. Dreamegg White Noise Machine

Sound Therapy Machine

Sound Therapy Machine

Create a serene environment for meditation, naps, or focused planning with this versatile sound machine. With 34 soothing sounds and customizable light settings, it’s a homeschool mom’s best friend for carving out moments of peace amidst a busy day.

  • Why I Love It: Portable and perfect for creating a calming atmosphere during lesson planning or downtime.
  • Deal: Matches the best price seen in 2025, up to 25% off.
  • Price: Approx. $29.99 after discount. Maybe less. Check the link.

Continue reading »


Homeschool to College: Our Journey, Part 1

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And so it begins: our adventure into the senior year. The plan is to blog about what we are learning and share it with you all as it happens. Naturally, it all starts with a plan and a goal. What is your goal for your children as they graduate high school? Please share it in a comment below. College is not for everybody.

Homeschool to College: Our Journey Series

Homeschool to College: Our Journey Series

For us, the goal is a four-year institution with a strong computer science program and a merit-based full ride scholarship. Geography plays a role, too. Our son wants to stay nearby. There are many options in Tennessee, where we live. However, we have cast a wider net in order to add certain other universities which have peaked his interest. Continue reading »


Amazon Prime Day 2025: Best Homeschool Back-to-School Supplies to Grab Early

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As homeschool families prepare for another year of learning adventures, Amazon Prime Day 2025 arrives at the perfect time: July 8-11. We’ve carefully selected these foundational items that work across multiple subjects and grade levels, helping you maximize your homeschool budget. This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through these links. See our full disclosure policy for more details.

Back to School Amazon Prime Day

Back to School Amazon Prime Day

 

Essential Items

  1. The Homeschool Planner by Paper Peony Press and Jennifer Pepito [affiliate link]
  • 192 pages printed on high quality interior stock
  • Monthly tabs
  • Undated (so that you can start at anytime!) sections
  • Clean & simple layout
  • Beautiful hardback cover with gold spiral and corner protectors
  • 7.25 in. x 9.75 in.
  • Why we love it: This planner specifically addresses homeschool needs while remaining flexible enough for various teaching styles.

Continue reading »


2025 Romania Trip

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We spent three weeks in Romania, May 13-June 3. The last time we went to my home country was in 2016. Wildfires and global pandemics have kept us from returning for nine years.

Our family in front of Grand Hotel Bucharest

Our family in front of Grand Hotel Bucharest

Last fall, knowing we would go to Romania in 2025, we renewed passports. You might know this already, but the process takes at least 4-6 weeks. If you plan an international trip, start with the passports. Then get your tickets. We like United and the Star Alliance Partners, like Lufthansa. Here is more information about their Points, a frequent/loyal flyer program.

Continue reading »


2025 Co-op Graduation

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We attend a homeschool co-op and some of my children’s friends graduated this year. Besides, we wanted to go see what the ceremony is like, to know for next year. My son will be graduating in May 2026 and it is becoming increasingly real. So we attended graduation. Here are three lessons from it, so you know what to expect, if you are anything like me.

2025 BHEA Graduation Venue

2025 BHEA Graduation Venue

 

Lessons from Attending Graduation

Continue reading »


Ice Skating Lessons

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My daughter and I have been taking ice skating lessons at the Ice Chalet in Knoxville since January. We started out as beginners, aka Pre-Alpha level. After nine weeks of lessons, the teacher tested our class during lesson #10. Could we execute the six skills required for the next level? We could! We graduated to the Alpha level.

My ice skating gear

My ice skating gear: skates, soakers, hard protectors, towel, and bag

What a great opportunity to bond with my daughter even more. The drive, the errands we ran before the class, the class itself, learning how to buy ice skates and the rest of the gear – all these stepping stones bonded us. Continue reading »