Homeschooling, bringing the family closer.

Probably like many homeschool mom’s I get discouraged from time to time about how we are doing in our school. Are they learning enough? Are we doing enough academically, are they keeping up with their peers? How am I going to get to those loads of laundry and make dinner and get all of my other work done.

I recently started re-reading Mary Kay Clarke’s Catholic Homeschooling. I read it about 13 years ago with much wonder and awe at how Dr. Clark was so matter of fact in how she got everything done. I wondered if I could be like that? Could I do all of that.

I’m here to report 13 years and four more babies later that I could see my homeschool in the pages of Dr. Clarke’s book. We aren’t perfect and we certainly are still working on being a holy family, but overall, we have made great progress.

This part of Catholic Homeschooling that really stood out for me came in Dr. Clarke’s chapter on Why Catholic Homeschooling?

Home schooling can strengthen internal family relationships as members help each other in the learning process. As members of the family work and learn together, and come to understand the strengths and weakness of each other, they can develop Christian virtues which help them to live together peacably.

They learn to work on problems together and to stand as a unit against outside influences and pressures.

Briefly reviewing some of my digital pictures illustrated for me that maybe we have at least met that gold.



Our wonderful schoolroom allows us to keep organized and keep our materials together and we work as a team to keep it that way!

But the family table becomes a place to feed the mind and the body.

Lively discussions spill into other rooms as well!


Yet we can be flexible enough to provide private spaces for the older students that need to concentrate.

And humble enough to let Grandma lend a much needed helping hand!

Liturgical and secular holidays are full of celebration and give special opportunities to make special family memories.

Arts and crafts develop our our artistic skills while also focusing us on special events, lessons and even on the liturgical year!

Making lunch is home ec and developing life skills!

Goofing off between lessons brings laughter and a special bond with siblings

When siblings love each other and are bonded together there’s always room for one more!

Field trips become family adventures and part of the shared family memories. This was our trip to NASA last year.

Sometimes our homeschool even allows the kids to be part of Mr. Pete’s business!

The younger children absorb some of what the older children are learning. At the very least, they imitate what they see, like caring for books and reading lessons aloud!

We celebrate our joys together and support each other during the sad and difficult times.

As Dr. Clarke would say, this is all part of living an Authentic Catholic Life!
Save This Page

Digg It

Please browse my eBay items!
Visit my new Amazon Store!