Yes, Jennifer, I think it is always harder on us Moms, LOL! We tend to take it all very personally, so this is definitely a phase where the letting go a bit really needs to start with us – the hardest part. I think it’s great that you’re already giving him independent work and some deadlines, and I would continue to let him doodle, it’ll keep him focused if that is his learning style. I have a friend with 8 boys and she has them all chew gum during lessons to help them focus, as you can imagine they have a very “active” homeschool. My boys have benefitted tremendously with being able to move around while they work or being able to do something with their hands while they are listening to a book or lesson. It’s easier to let them move than to fight it 😉 Thanks for stopping in!

College prep is a biggie in our homeschool too Anna and if you approach it year by year, it won’t seem quite as daunting. Especially if you are collaborating with your teen(s) along the way. It’s okay to let them stretch their minds, now is the time for discovery and accomplishment and success. It will get harder in the later years, but if you set them up for success now, it’ll be a breeze. 🙂 Thanks for weighing in today!

Gail, I feel your struggle and if you can, look at the big picture plan. Then break it down, so that every year of your homeschool through high school you have a plan that includes the classes that your kids need to move on to higher education. I hope you joined the giveaway as I have many great ideas in my book on how to accomplish this, as well as some worksheets to help along the way. You could also subscribe to my newsletter as I have some great freebies that might be just right for you 🙂 God bless you in your homeschooling journey!

I worried about this too Rachel. I found that (especially with my first) if you begin easing in to more difficult material while they are still getting their feet wet with middle school, the transition will be much more smooth and natural. Try reading a more difficult text together in 7th and 8th grade so that it won’t be quite so overwhelming by the time she hits high school literature classes. Or to garner more independent work, have her choose a topic of interest and really delve deeply into it and create a presentation to share with the whole family. Creativity really takes center stage here as you let her make the decisions on how she wants to put it all together and share it. Just some more thoughts for you! Such an exciting time for you both 🙂