Why we started Homeschool

Posted on by rootedmama

I was about 18 when I realized that being a stay-at-home mom was an option.

I was 21 and student teaching, when I realized that homeschooling can include co-ops.

It was also in student teaching when I knew I didn’t want to be teaching in a public school.

As a Student Teacher, pregnant newlywed. . . All I wanted to do was be a stay at home mom. And I wanted to homeschool my kids.

It took about 7 years for my husband and I to find the same page, when we decided we wanted to travel full time and homeschool.

There are many reasons why I, personally, wanted to homeschool. I may share those at a later time. . . However, there were several things that were important to me, that I wanted us to have as a family.

Things that were important to me:

*Traveling more/field trips

*My kids learning about the world by experiencing the world

*Hands on learning. For my kids to have an environment that nurtures a love of learning. My kids having an environment that nurtures a love of reading.

*Us having a say in our children’s curriculum

*My kids to explore and learn about their interests

*My kids learning the skills they need to fly the nest: Chores, cooking, fixing things, finances, etc. . .

*Learning outdoors/outside free play and exploration

* And many, many, many more reasons.

Why did you start homeschooling? If you’re looking into homeschool, why do you want to homeschool?

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One Thing: Education/self development

Posted on by rootedmama

Background:

After exiting teaching full time, shifting to part-time teaching, and entering the Network Marketing business…I was immersed in self-development.right.when.I.needed.it.

My heart was vulnerable. I was open to change. I dove in.

There are road blocks, every now and again…but you take the time to do the heart work, and move forward.

So, what did the process look like?

*Again, this is an area I have yet to fully develop, or set a solid foundation for. So, it’s a growth area.

* I went to (physically and virtually) all the trainings. I read all the books. I took all the notes.

*I prayed, read my bible. And the funny thing is, all the self-development crossed over with my stages I was walking with Jesus.

* Do the heart work.

* take all the notes (usually in the book)

* Now that I have to rely on making myself step up to the plate, my two ways of diving in to education and self-development: reading and listening to podcasts. Because that’s easiest at the moment.

Why do I invest in self-development, you might ask?

Easy. Growth. If I don’t have a growth mindset, I’ll be stuck right where I am. I don’t want to always be stuck right where I am. I always want to be moving forward. Every now and again, I get in a comfy spot…but it doesn’t usually last long…and when I start getting restless…I dive back in!

Why do I invest my time in education and what do I mean by education?

By education, I just mean that I take the time to read or find another way to learn about something I am passionate about.

My favorite college professor taught me what it means to be a lifelong learner. So, that love of learning has spilled over into my life after college. So, I’m trying to always learn about something:

-parenting

-how to be a follower of Jesus

-what I want my role as a mom and wife to look like

-what kind of friend I want to be

-anything science

-history, too

-teaching and education

-health and wellness/ exercise and nutrition

-photography

-Psychology and Mental Health

So, I find books, podcasts and articles over these topics and learn what I can about them.

Again…just one thing at a time.

You kind of just naturally learn about the things you are currently interested in. If you don’t have an interest in something, today, that you did yesterday, put that book down. You’ll come back to it, and if you don’t that’s ok! Pick a book (or article, or documentary, or podcast…you get the picture) that you’re excited to learn about today.

One Thing: Writing Process

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Background:

I made terrible grades in school. English class was not my favorite. I hated learning the writing process. I made C’s, all the way up through college sophomore English. It was miserable.

Even so. I still had thoughts about being an author or writer…and then, quickly pushing that thought aside…and replacing that thought with…I’m not good enough to be a writer.

Well….oh. Well.

Because, here I am.

My process, and my writing probably don’t look as it should.

And, I don’t really care.

I just enjoy getting my thoughts out on paper, and sharing it with others…with the hope being that at least one person will benefit!

So, what has my process been?

*Write down or type up my ideas- I started with just writing a couple of thoughts on a new page

*Set up folders in Pages to organize different posts I’m working on- I started having so many, that I finally needed to set up folders to keep it organized and have a place where I knew I could find what I was looking for.

*Add individual, new pages to established folders- as I have thoughts or ideas, I add those into their respective folders. Sometimes they just sit there, until the words start flowing.

*Title/give a topic- it usually just comes to me. I go with it

*Wait until I feel led to write on that project- again, I just wait for the words to flow.

*write in that page for that project

*edit until it flows how I like it

* set post settings.

Now, this is one of my areas I’m stretching and growing. It’s not much like what I learned in school, but it works for me.

I’ve got this general process down to create a habit…it’s not daily, quite yet.

It’s also not refined, quite how I want it….but I’m doing it….One post at a time.

Is writing one of your areas your working to add to your daily routine?

Share in the comments how you took it One Thing at a Time.

Do you already have writing daily, down.

Share in the comments some tips to how you got where you’re at!

Travel and transition

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Over the last few months, we have spent most places at the minimum in one spot, monthly. When we started traveling more, in August, we only got to see a couple of places – before I got a job work camping for a couple of months.

And now, we are moving more often, hence the lack of writing over the last couple of weeks!

I liked the predictably of staying in one spot monthly. I like being able to see family and friends for longer. . .

And also, I long to be able to travel places we have never been. It’s harder for us to do that, if we are staying places monthly.

For me, I’d like to find a balance of how-long-is-just-long-enough-to-stay-in-one-place, be able to explore, and not stay there too long.

Which is what I think we are on our way to finding!

Anyways. . .Starting our travel, this year of all years, brings its own set of challenges. Just like for everything else. And one thing I’m really good at is giving up when things get hard. Not this year.

This year, is going to be different. I don’t know about you, but I need this year to be different. I need to know that I can push through a tough season. Or that if I fall off the productivity train, I can hop back on. It’s not the end of the world.

I will not give up on writing and my photography. I enjoy it too much.

As we learn our new normal, of moving more often, I’m working on a few posts that I can’t wait to share. My writings just may be a tad off from what my goals are, and I’m deciding that’s just going to have to be ok!

And just know that if you are feeling the same, you can do this!

Just don’t give up!

Rooted Mama Bonfire Store

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If you like the blog, please consider buying from my Bonfire Store! This will help me get a start on keeping the blog going! Eventually, I’d like to get away from having ads on my page!! To do that, I’ll also start adding a “donation” button to the bottom of my posts.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the support you all have given by reading my blog!

I’d appreciate all the prayers for the continued growth!!

The Why Behind the Writing

Posted on by rootedmama

Hi! My name is Jessica, and I am Rooted Mama!!

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve noticed some new faces around here. . .so, I thought I’d introduce myself.

My family and I travel full-time. We homeschool while on the road, and we work remotely. And sometimes, we work camp!!

I started writing years ago, because I needed an outlet. Writing is therapeutic for me. I internalize my thoughts over and over again. Which, cranks up my anxiety.

SO, I started writing as a way to get those thoughts out of my head. To process. To verbalize all that internal thinking.

I’ve found that I love writing about a whole host of topics: anxiety/depression/mental health, marriage, parenting, education and homeschool, health and wellness, my walk with Jesus. . .and I LOVE sharing my passion of photography.

So, welcome AND thank you for following along this journey!! I’m humbled that you choose to take the time out of your day to read and join along!

Traveling….finally

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I was beginning to think that I’d never get to say that we were really traveling. . .

There for awhile, we were bouncing from Texas to Missouri, and back.

But, the last two months, we really started traveling, and have been able to have more adventures.

Never in my life, did I think we’d get to say that we had your traditional summer nights. . .cooking s’mores and going swimming. . . AND get to see snow ( real snow) all in one summer!!

We also got to go see the St. Louis Arch!! That’s one place that we really wanted to take the kids!! The tram was still not up and going (COVID), but it was a great experience for them-nonetheless. I can’t wait to take them back, when they can see from the top of the Arch!! We also found Cardinal Stadium.

I love how much a lot of our adventures turn into learning experiences, as well!! This is what I dreamed! That my kids would be able to learn about the world through traveling experiences!!

Announcement

Posted on by rootedmama

Good morning, Good morning!!

Last night, I released an announcement over on my Facebook (@RootedMama) and Instagram (@rootedhealthymama) on what we are doing to expand!

Head on over- like and follow Facebook and Instagram for updates as these next few months unfold.

It’s 2020!!!!

Posted on by rootedmama

It’s a New Year!!

I can hardly believe that we are already 4 days into 2020.

Looking back over the last 1.5 to 2 months…I’m in awe.

I’ve enjoyed writing SO much more than I thought I would.

And, I needed some time for reflection and waiting on God.

To reflect on where this blog is going, reflect on what things we need to set up for when we begin traveling, and what things to work on that I am passionate about!!

The details are still being worked out…and I do feel like they are starting to come together.

Before I start releasing any kind of news….

I want to know how your Christmas celebrations were? Did you stick to your plan? Or did you have to adjust?

What about planning for the new year and the new decade?

What goals are you planning for?!

I love the newness and all… I’m also loving to learn the discipline of the day-in-and-day-out. To lean into the mundane….because that is where the real stuff happens.

30 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 30

Posted on by rootedmama

Wow- it seems crazy that today is the last day of November. What a joy to celebrate a season of gratefulness and carry that over into the next season.

Today, I’m grateful for an organization that I came across called “Back on My Feet”. I’m excited to learn more about them and get involved in what they are doing.

Thanks for joining me on this journey!