Hey Darling, Welcome Back to the Blog
Today I have a completely new blog post, and funny enough, it’s actually the first one I’ve ever written on homeschooling! So now the blog officially has a new category called Homeschooling. This blog post right here was the catalyst for that new category.
At first, I tried to fit this into one of my other categories, but honestly? It just felt like it needed a space of its own. So for anyone who’s interested in this topic, I really hope you enjoy what I start to share here.
Today’s blog post is more of a brain dump, if I’m being honest. I just decided I wanted to do a post on homeschooling, because wow, it’s honestly like stepping into a whirlwind of information. There are so many places to start, and I’m literally just stepping into it myself. That’s why I felt like it would be useful to have a post like this for anyone else who’s just starting too.
Plus, I’ve come across some great resources and bits I’ve picked up along the way, and I wanted to begin putting them all in one place. That’s why I decided, “You know what? Let me just create a whole category.” And I literally did that this morning!
I woke up early, dropped the hubby off at the station, came back, and my daughter was still snoozing in her car seat, so I just transferred her back to her little bed. Normally, I’d use this time to work out, but today I felt like I just needed to sit down and write. I had so much information swirling around in my head, so I thought, Let me go upstairs, sit at my desk, and start writing.
I also had a couple of images I’d taken of some of the homeschooling bits and pieces I’ve collected, so I’ll be sharing those in this post and a few more to come.
So yes, I hope you love what you read, and I’m really just trying to be real, raw, and honest with this whole journey. Thank you for being here 💛
My Homeschooling Journey So Far
I feel like this is a blog post I’m definitely going to add more to at some point in time because there’s so much I want to say. I have so many ideas around this and ways to help people who might be curious or just starting out. I knew going into homeschooling that it would be a journey, so for now, here’s just my situation, just to let you know what’s happening with us.
I have a 2½-year-old, she’s going to be three soon! And honestly, I’m not certain that we are 100% going down the homeschooling path just yet because I still have some questions. We’re still figuring out if homeschooling is the right fit for us. However, no matter what, whether she ends up in public school, private school, or homeschooling, we plan to do some teaching and learning at home. There are certain things I really want her to learn outside of the traditional curriculum.
Things like financial literacy, biblical studies, and other life skills. These are topics I feel are often missing or underrepresented in public school systems, and I want to make sure she gets that foundation from home.
Right now, I’m being honest and transparent, I’m not sure if our lifestyle is fully set up in a way where I can stay home long-term without earning anything. I feel like I might need to earn a little income too, in order for her to stay at home with me comfortably. So, that’s something we’re actively working on and brainstorming.
I’ll definitely share more details on all of that soon as we figure things out and get more clarity.
Creating Resources for Other Parents
I’ve been working on something I haven’t shared yet, I actually created my own worksheets after a lot of thought and careful planning. I’m really excited about them, and I’ll be selling some of these beautiful worksheets on Etsy soon, so stay tuned!
Essentially, these worksheets I will also be giving away to my church. I see my church almost like a community now. When I was new to the area and started going there, they really welcomed me like family. And I think that as a family, and as Christians, we should be looking after the younger ones too, even if we didn’t give birth to them. They’re all God’s kids, and I feel like we should be supporting them as much as we can.
That’s why, although I’ll be selling these worksheets on Etsy, I will also be providing them free to my church community. If you also provide resources or help to your church or community, I would love to learn and get ideas from you about how I can support our community too. Maybe there are ways you can help your community by sharing a couple of days, or sharing my link with them, so they can access the things I’m sharing through Etsy as well.
I wanted to make something for other people who may be starting their homeschooling journey — or maybe they’re not fully into homeschooling but want worksheets and don’t know where to start. Maybe they have a printer at home like I did, but didn’t know what to print or where to go for materials.
To be fair, there are plenty of worksheets out there, but they don’t have a Christian element, which is really important to me. The ones I’m creating are simple and can be used from when your child is literally zero years old. I understand that as your child gets older, you’ll need more, and I’ll say now, my content will be age-specific, starting from 0 to around 3 years old at the moment. Once my child gets a bit older, I’ll start creating content for older kids, but for now, it’s 0–3 because that’s my area of experience.
As Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” That verse really inspires me as I create these resources, hoping to help other parents build that solid foundation with their little ones.
Building a Community
I do have more ideas and ways I want to expand on this, like creating a community around homeschooling. Because let’s be real, homeschooling can sometimes feel like you’re the only one trying to juggle snacks, lesson plans, and tantrums all at the same time. So if you’re a newbie or someone who’s interested in homeschooling but not sure if it’s the right path or if you’re even set up for it, it’s always good to know you’re not alone and to connect with others who are doing it too.
I want to create a community of people doing this — ideally something that’s global, because why not? But I would also love to connect with people locally who are homeschooling, especially here in the UK or the London area. There’s something really comforting about swapping tips over a cup of tea or just knowing someone else understands when your “lesson plan” involves more crayons on the walls than on the paper!
So, if you’re local and homeschooling (or thinking about it), definitely let me know. Whether you have questions, want to share how you’re incorporating different elements, or just need a virtual high-five when the day has been one of those days, I’d love to hear from you. We can learn, laugh, and encourage each other because homeschooling is a journey, and it’s better when we walk it together.
One of the most important things I’ve realised is that homeschooling doesn’t have to be done alone. Connecting with others who understand the challenges and joys is invaluable.
Again, If you’re homeschooling in the UK or the London area, or even further afield, I’d love to hear from you. Sharing tips, ideas, and encouragement makes this journey so much richer and less intimidating
The Research, The Advice, and The Reality
I’ve been getting loads of advice and doing so much research — honestly, it feels like a full-time job just trying to keep up with everything! If I were working full-time right now, I probably wouldn’t have the time to dive into all this, and that’s the reality. It can be very overwhelming and time-consuming. There are so many opinions, methods, resources, and everything in between. But I’ve been afforded this luxury of time right now, so what I want to do is gather and bank all of this information for other ladies who might need it. Think of it as me doing the homework for you!
I genuinely wish I had started having worksheets and resources like these much sooner for my daughter. It would’ve made things a bit smoother, and maybe saved me from the “now what do I do?” moments! Along with the worksheets, I have a growing list of great books I’ve bought — everything from educational books to Bibles, and all sorts of resources that have really helped me understand different stages of learning and different themes to explore.
I’ll be sharing those recommendations, because sometimes it’s hard to know what’s worth your time and money. Plus, I’m really grateful for the variety, the different stages of learning, the colours, the themes that make learning fun and engaging. Homeschooling isn’t just about textbooks and tests; it’s about creating a joyful environment where kids want to learn.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed like I did, just know you’re not alone. I’m here figuring it out with you, and I’ll share everything I learn along the way!
Creating a Biblical Library for My Daughter
Actually, when it comes to creating a biblical library for my daughter, I found it really hard to find books, especially for her age range. To be fair, there just weren’t many resources out there that fit what I was looking for. I spent a lot of time checking Amazon, hunting for books with high reviews, and then I started asking around, getting recommendations from friends and different people in the community.
Here’s a good tip if you’re looking to curate a library for your kids: check out the resources available at your local church. Not all churches have this, but mine has a little book section right at the entrance, just before you walk into the main church area. They have books for adults, kids, and Christian-centred materials. That was super helpful for me to discover authors and titles and helped me start building my own personal Christian homeschool library, not just for homeschooling, but devotionals and other resources too.
Another thing I really cared about was finding books where my daughter could see herself represented. She has big, long, curly hair, and I wanted books that showed kids who looked like her, with hair like hers. Representation matters, and it was important for me that she could identify with the characters in her books.
When she was younger, people would often gift her books, mostly mainstream ones. But honestly, quite a few of those ended up going to charity. Why? Well, sometimes it was because she couldn’t see herself in those books; the characters just didn’t look like her or reflect her experience. Some books didn’t have good meanings or messages, and a few even went against Christian beliefs. So I gently passed those along to charity, not throwing them away but making sure they could still be enjoyed elsewhere.
They were so mainstream, with zero biblical concepts and honestly, not very educational either. It was like, “Thanks for the pretty pictures, but where’s the good stuff?” So, I got rid of a bunch and filtered through the rest, then started building a better, more intentional collection.
Now I have a fantastic collection of books that are short, colourful, and stimulating, the kind that keep little ones engaged without putting them to sleep! Some of these books are even helpful for teaching tricky topics, like potty training. I’ve also got ones with short prayers, which are perfect for teaching daily gratitude and talking to God in a way that’s easy for her to understand.
Believe it or not, she currently has four different Bibles! But it’s great because each one has a slightly different style or focus, which gives us plenty of variety. It’s like having a Bible buffet, something for every taste!
Building this collection has been a real journey, but I feel like it’s one of the most important parts of homeschooling, nurturing her faith alongside her education. As Proverbs 22:6 says, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” That’s exactly what I want to do: give her a foundation that lasts a lifetime.
The Story Behind Her Bibles – [Finding the Right Bible for a Toddler]
Let me tell you how she got those Bibles. So, the first one she has is a bit of a family heirloom. It was given to me by my mum, who got it from her mum, so it’s been passed down through three generations now! It’s a small pocket Bible, nothing fancy, but it’s super special because of all the memories attached to it. I remember reading it during some pretty tough times at uni. My grandma used to give me scriptures and Psalms to read when I was struggling, so I put little tabs on those pages to find them easily. Those tabs are still there, by the way, a testament to how much that Bible has been loved and used. Now I’ve passed it down to Keyana.
That Bible has always had a place in her room, especially when she’s having trouble sleeping. I’ll read certain Psalms from it and just leave it open by her bed. I think she finds it calming because it’s something she’s always seen me do. It’s like her own little spiritual nightlight.
Then there’s the second Bible, the very first one I bought specifically for her. I wanted her to have her own Bible that was colourful and interactive, something I could read to her but that she could also engage with. The little pocket Bible was fine for reading to her, but let’s be real, it was black and white and not something she could get involved with herself.
So I searched high and low (Amazon had me in a chokehold), scrolling through tons of reviews, and eventually found a Bible that looked perfect. At the time, she was just under one, still a baby. And you know how toddlers are… everything goes in their mouth or gets ripped to shreds! Even though this Bible had thicker pages than the little pocket one, they were still paper — and yep, she managed to tear two of them. I did tape them back, but I quickly learned that not all baby Bibles are baby-proof!
She’s always liked reading books by herself in her room, so I had to get strategic. I started separating the paper books (ones that were easier to rip) and placing them up high, and then kept the sturdy card books, the ones she couldn’t easily tear. on a lower shelf where she could reach them freely. She’d go and pick out a book and start “reading” on her own. And now that she’s older, she’s more careful, but back then, I had to think ahead!
So yeah. While that second Bible was lovely and I’d still recommend it, I’d say it’s better suited for slightly older kids, maybe around five and up. It’s beautiful and well-written, but not as interactive as I’d hoped for a baby or toddler.
Now her third Bible was a gift she received at her christening; her cousin bought it for her. That one was a game-changer. It’s made of thick card pages, so no tearing, and it’s a lot more interactive. For example, when it tells the story of Noah’s Ark, it doesn’t just say “the animals went on the boat”, it says things like, “The pig goes on the boat, oink, oink!” It encourages engagement, which is exactly what little ones need. If it doesn’t grab their attention, they’re not going to absorb anything.
And then there’s her fourth Bible. which was also gifted to her at her christening, but this one came from our church. In terms of interactiveness, this one takes the crown. For instance, when it talks about the beginning, Genesis, it says, “It was dark. Put your hands over your eyes. Can you see anything?” Or “There was no sound. Put your hands over your ears. Can you hear anything?” It’s full of little sensory prompts like that, which I love. It brings the stories to life in a way that’s age-appropriate and memorable.
Quick note: I’ve also put some pictures of the Bibles as well, just so you can see what I’m talking about.
Now, if I had one small critique about that fourth Bible, the one from church, it’s that I wish it had a better representation of different cultures and backgrounds. You know, kids come from all kinds of backgrounds, and I want Keyana to be able to see herself reflected in the stories she reads. That doesn’t mean every single character has to look exactly like her, but having a variety of cultures represented makes a big difference. Unfortunately, that particular Bible doesn’t do that. It’s something I keep in mind, and that’s why I like to mix it up with other books alongside it.
So, to break it down, if you’re looking for a good toddler Bible:
- The most interactive one is the fourth Bible, the one from the church (but keep in mind my note about representation).
- The second most interactive, but still baby-proof, is the third Bible (the one from her cousin).
- The one I bought her first (her second Bible overall) is lovely, but I’d say it’s best for ages five and up.
- And of course, the very first Bible, the family heirloom, is special in its own way, but not one she can really “use” yet on her own.
Honestly, she’s on her way to building her own mini Bible library, and she hasn’t even started school yet!
What I’ve Learned About Homeschooling So Far
I feel like what I’ve learned from homeschooling so far is that it’s a lot. Like, a LOT. Honestly, it’s not just teaching; it’s being a cheerleader, a referee, a patient listener, and sometimes a walking encyclopedia all rolled into one. One of the key things I’ve really noticed is how important consistency is. Even if you’re feeling frustrated, which, trust me, happens more than you want to admit, your child is going to feel that energy. Kids are like little emotional sponges. So, if you’re stressed, they pick up on it. And when you think they’re not taking in stuff? They actually are. They might not be saying anything or showing it right away, but believe me, it’s sinking in deep somewhere.
And yeah, you just have to be super interactive with them. If you’re interactive, or if the materials are interactive, they’ll be interactive right back at you. It’s a two-way street, really. I think there’s a big difference between “highly stimulated” in a good way and the kind that comes from, say, watching television or screen time. The latter might keep them busy for a while, but it doesn’t engage the brain in the same way as hands-on things like papers, cards, crayons, and paint do.
So yeah, homeschooling is a full-on adventure. Some days it feels like I’m running a mini classroom, and other days it’s like trying to wrangle a small tornado. But overall, it’s rewarding in a way I didn’t expect, and I’m learning just as much as she is, maybe more!
My Background and Why I’m Homeschooling
Background-wise, I was very fearful about starting homeschooling. Even before I had my daughter—to be transparent—I was already thinking about homeschooling my child. Funny enough, I met a friend who is now a good business friend, and she was homeschooling her kids. It was nice to speak to someone who was doing it because I wasn’t homeschooled myself, and most of my friends weren’t homeschooled either.
You know, it was something I knew of, but especially in my neighbourhood, it wasn’t something parents did because most parents were working. And I think, while I’m so grateful for everything my parents did for me—and everything my mum did—something happens when you’re working full-time: you just generally have less time for your kids. That’s something I want to give my daughter—more of my time and attention.
I feel like, especially in school, they can’t always give kids the attention they need. Personally, when I was growing up, especially in school, there were so many areas where I needed help. I honestly feel like I was overlooked a lot and put into classes that weren’t right for me. If I had had more help, I would’ve thrived in certain areas and wouldn’t have struggled so much. So, I would have loved to be homeschooled.
Now, I’m not forcing homeschooling on my child. If she ever turns around and says, “Hey Mum, I want to go to public school,” she’s fully able to do that. I’m also not certain if we’re going to homeschool full-time right away, or if we’ll homeschool for a little while and then she’ll go to public school, or if she’ll be in public school and we’ll just do extra learning at home or on the weekends. I honestly have no idea what it will look like yet, and financially, we’ll see what God provides for us.
But background-wise, homeschooling has always been something I was interested in. I want to provide that for my daughter and maybe future kids. I also like the idea that you can teach your kids things like finances and investments—important life skills that I feel the school system doesn’t really teach. And biblical studies are another big reason I want to homeschool, because normal public schools don’t teach those things. There are certain values I want to pass on, and I think homeschooling would be a great way to do that.
Fairly, my fear around homeschooling comes from not coming from a teaching background. My background is actually in fashion. I started in fashion, then moved into marketing. My whole corporate career has basically been in marketing. I’ve worked on big TV campaigns and absolutely loved it. I think some of those elements have definitely poured into my entrepreneurial journey because of the things I was doing corporately.
But yeah, I have definitely changed over time. As I’ve deepened my knowledge and grown in my faith, it has shaped both my entrepreneurial journey and my home life. This is one of the reasons why I feel excited about homeschooling—I have that entrepreneurial spirit. But I was also fearful because I kept thinking, “I don’t come from a teaching background, how can someone like me do this?”
So, if you’re curious and like me, not from a teaching background but interested in homeschooling, definitely stay tuned to the blog and everything, because I’m going to be sharing along the way.
A Peek into Our Homeschool Life
Soon, I’ll be sharing glimpses of our homeschooling setup, including photos of my daughter’s learning space and some friends’ setups, too. Sometimes real-life inspiration is just what we need, beyond Pinterest and perfect Instagram feeds.
I’ll also share links to the tools and resources we’re using, everything from books to flashcards and interactive Bibles. These links will be affiliate links, and I want to be transparent about that because any support helps us grow.
My Final Thoughts: Just Start, Faith in Action
I truly believe that waiting too long to start something God has placed on your heart only delays the blessing and purpose He wants to unfold. Faith without works is dead, and I’m learning to take that seriously by putting one foot in front of the other.
This is just the beginning of my homeschooling story, and I’m so grateful to share it with you. Whether you’re thinking about homeschooling, already doing it, or just curious, I hope this encourages you to take that first step, whatever it looks like for you.
Thank you for being here and walking this journey with me. Stay tuned for more updates, worksheets, and community connections.
Sending blessings to you!
Scherise. X
