So today I sat down, refreshed and determined, to get back to school with the kids after our short fall break. I knew I wanted to improve how we were doing language arts with my son. It had been taking him nearly an hour just to write a few sentences, which left us both frustrated and often meant we didn’t get much truly accomplished.
After some thought (and a little help from Copilot), I decided to keep using Lamplighter Ministries books as the foundation for our language arts. I love their Christian values, timeless storytelling, and the fact that many are older works with a richness you don’t find in modern titles. To make things smoother, I split reading comprehension and writing into two separate days. That way, we can focus deeply on one skill at a time — less stress, more focus, and hopefully more joy in the process.
Meanwhile, my daughter had to be coaxed into starting school. But once she sat down, the switch flipped. With the help of an educational song or game, she quickly shifted gears and sped right through her work with enthusiasm. It’s always amazing to see how a little creativity can turn resistance into excitement.
Outside of homeschooling, I’m looking forward to tonight when I can spend some time gaming. Today reminded me that homeschooling is about balance. Adjusting our approach to language arts showed me that small changes can make a big difference in keeping learning joyful. Helping my daughter transition with music and games reinforced the value of creativity in education. And carving out time for gaming later reminds me that my own joy matters too.
Family, faith, and personal time don’t have to compete — they can weave together into a rhythm that makes each day both purposeful and fulfilling
