Hi! I’m Sheri, wife to Nelson for 20+ years. We live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. My husband works in law enforcement and I stay home with our kids. We have ten children and have been homeschooling for thirteen years.
Here on the blog I love to share homeschooling encouragement for everyday moms: simple ideas, large family life, homegrown kids, and learning as a lifestyle. Drawing on 13+ years of homeschooling experience, you can find help for getting started, tried and true homeschooling advice, life skills learning, simple Morning Time ideas, and interviews with everyday homeschool moms just like you! The only way to make sure you don’t miss any posts or videos is by joining my email list.
I started this blog to encourage current and prospective homeschool moms by sharing the stories of homeschooling families.
I’ve spent quite a bit of time interviewing moms. I’ve asked them questions such as…
What led you to homeschooling?
How do you teach multiple ages?
What does a typical day look like for you?
Have you made mistakes and what have you learned from them?
How do you teach multiple ages?
…and more! Head on over to my gallery of Mom Interviews to hear from homeschool moms like you!
Here is our homeschooling story.
Our Story
Making Decisions
When I first entertained the thought that maybe I would like to homeschool, I knew almost no one in my circle to ask. Literally almost no one. Our oldest child was three years old and school was just around the corner. Decisions were looming!!
Prior to staying home with my children, I was a public school teacher. After making the decision to stay home full time with our first child, my priorities in life changed. I adored our son and wanted to show him the world! I began to think to myself, “Maybe I want to do what I have been doing in school…just with my own kids.”
Although I had enjoyed teaching, I had felt so limited by administrative work, state standards, professional requirements, paperwork, etc. I wanted to explore the world with my students! My hope was to develop in them a hunger to learn about everything around them, but THAT is not easy to do in a classroom!
Finding a Support Group
As my ideals were evolving, I read every book I could find on homeschooling. My interest was piqued! The freedom to learn by interest, to explore the natural world-not cooped up in one space, to spend more time reading good books together – these possibilities were calling to me!
Although I looked for other homeschoolers to ask for help, there just weren’t many in my circle at that time. I found a few brave souls who were ahead of me, and they were my lifeline. I questioned them about everything.
There were also a few other local friends who were of the same bent as I was. Our oldest children were all entering preschool. We met up, five of us, and plunged in together. We ended up meeting in each other’s homes every week with our kids. Our excitement grew each week as we exchanged ideas and talked life learning. This small group eventually grew exponentially and became a homeschool co-op which we still attend today!
13+ Years of Homeschooling
After 13+ years of homeschooling our kids, I have experienced several different stages, many highs and lows. And I am still learning new things. Together we have visited many places-literally in field trips and figuratively, in books. Our times on the couch every afternoon reading together will always hold a special place in my heart. We have learned and lived through so many important moments. So far, with five of our kids I’ve cried through long division…and survived!!!
It isn’t easy homeschooling multiple kids on multiple levels. It especially wasn’t easy giving up a career and the prestige that comes with a title. On occasion my kids fight, and, yes, it drives me crazy!! I have even threatened to put the kids on the next school bus that drives by! Without a doubt, I would have quit – and almost did more than once! – without the encouragement of family and friends.
Through the highs and lows, I am SO THANKFUL to have had this experience with our kids. The time with them has been WORTH it. It is not easy, but I can honestly say that I absolutely LOVE what I do!
MORE FROM SHERI
Head over to Our Interview to get a closer peek into our homeschooling experience!
Was our homeschooling story an encouragement to you? I’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below and tell me about your homeschooling journey! I love hearing other homeschool moms tell about their experiences with their kids!
Hi, I’m Sheri! I am a Christian saved by grace, married to my high school sweetheart, and a thankful mom to ten incredible kids. I’m a former public school teacher who never thought I would someday be a homeschool mom! Drawing on 13+ years of homeschooling experience, follow along to find help for getting started, tried and true homeschooling advice, life skills learning, simple Morning Time ideas, and interviews with everyday homeschool moms just like you!
Thanks for the encouragement, Bob!! Yes!! Tami is already at the top of my list!! I plan to reach out to her soon. I hope she will be willing to do it! She is a BIG reason that I am homeschooling. She was one of the moms that was a lifeline to me at the beginning when I was really hesitant about stepping out. And she helped answer so many questions for me along the way.
Hi Mrs. Sullivan!!
I remember you as a Sunday School teacher! Thank you for all your years of faithfully serving the Lord. So nice to hear from you and to hear how you are doing. I told my dad about your message on here. My parents say hello. Ironically, dad just came back from a trip to TN. He knows your pastor and was telling me about him. Thank you for the update and the encouraging words!
Hi Great article and great family. I can remember talking with you way back when you were first homeschooling and from an old home school Mom from many years ago you have and are doing a fantastic job Sheri! Keep it up! Love Darlene
You have always been encouraging to me, Darlene! Thank you for your support!!