Homeschooling Outside the Box
71 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 32 ratingsHomeschooling Outside the Box is the podcast that encourages and equips moms who homeschool an outside-the-box child. Join the host, Cindy Rinna, as she talks about autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Charlotte Mason, faith-over-formula motherhood, and all the joys and challenges of homeschooling an outside-the-box child.
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Episodes
To the Pre-School Mom
March 10, 2024 01:12 - 21 minutes - 19.8 MBWhile becoming a parent is the true beginning of the journey, the preschool years bring a certain amount of well, uncertainty…for those of us who embark on the adventure of homeschooling. When is “the beginning” of their education? What should education look like in the early years? The culture tells us more is better, and the sooner the better. But Charlotte Mason referred to these formative, early pre-school years as “a quiet growing time.” Children learn through play and experience and ...
The Philosophy Episode
March 02, 2024 03:17 - 15 minutes - 14.9 MBWhat is education? What are your family values? What type of family culture are you working to create? What type of people do you hope to help your kids become? Mark Twain once famously said, “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” Education means so much more than curriculum; it is the cultivation of a person and a philosophy of education needs to reflect the type of person you hope to help your child become (and the person you are working to become, for that matter)....
The Winter Episode
January 29, 2024 05:06 - 28 minutes - 25.6 MBWinter has the propensity to bring burn-out for homeschoolers but it doesn't have to be that way. Today I'll talk about ways to avoid burn-out and how to enjoy the coziness of winter. Show Notes Sunlight before noon post Until the Streetlights Come On by Ginny Yurich Homeschool Rhythms: Rest Time Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli Connect with Me On Instagram Join my Substack Don't forget to rate & review :)
Essential Rhythms for Busy Days
November 19, 2023 03:08 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBWith the holidays around the corner, there are bound to be some busy days that will rock your normal homeschool routine. Those days are not lost, though. There’s a simple way to stay productive and relaxed when a hectic schedule demands it. Tune in to see how we do it. SHOW NOTES Homeschool Rhythms: Get Ready Zone Work
How to Read A Lot Even As a Busy Mom
November 07, 2023 03:55 - 43 minutes - 34.4 MBIf you've ever struggled to fit reading into your life as a busy homeschool mom, this is the episode for you! Join me as I tell you how to fit a true feast into the nooks and crannies of your day. Show Notes Homeschool Rhythms: Morning Time Homeschool Rhythms: Rest Time Wild + Free Bundle Subscription Subscribe and get access to the booklists
The Autumn Episode
October 01, 2023 22:01 - 27 minutes - 22.8 MBBring on the sweaters and boots and pumpkin spice lattes! Autumn is in full swing by now with falling leaves, crisp mornings, and night creeping in earlier and earlier. I like to take time to reflect as fall begins in earnest; what changes do we need to make in routines and atmosphere to get ready for a new season? Which traditions are we looking forward to the most and are there any we want to let go of? And how can I bottle everything that makes fall the loveliest time of the year? Th...
How to Grow a Homeschool Group (and if you should) with Danielle Easley, co-founder of Connect
August 04, 2023 12:13 - 1 hour - 80.9 MBIf you've listened to Part I of this episode (How to Start a Homeschool Group and why you should), you'll be delighted to hear this continuation on what to do when the group starts to grow and take on a life of its own! IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR: How teens make a difference for the group How privacy plays into your group's growth Communicating with your growing group Membership fees and insurance All the legal mumbo-jumbo Icky issues like dress code and phone use Should you ...
The Summer Episode
June 12, 2023 00:55 - 19 minutes - 21.9 MBDoesn’t summertime bring out the child in us all? Swimming in the scorching heat, drinking lemonade, inhaling the wafting scent of the grill, listening for cicadas, watching for fireflies…there is a sense of wonder that comes with summer. Use this month to tap into your inner child: Stop and smell the gardenias and jasmine. Take time. Slow down. Play and explore the great outdoors. Soak in summer and all of its splendor. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR: What summer looks like fo...
I'm Back!
April 17, 2023 02:39 - 11 minutes - 12.4 MBIt's been a while...but I'm back and I'm so excited to be with you again! Catch up on what's new and what to look forward to. Or, if you're brand new, get to know a little more about Homeschooling Outside the Box. You are very welcome here! You can also check out the new Nature Journal and sign up for my free monthly "Everything" guides.
Homeschool Rhythms: Rest Time
November 24, 2021 01:25 - 23 minutes - 25.6 MBSo far in this “Homeschool Rhythms” series we’ve talked about morning time, narration, getting ready, group work, individual work, and read alouds. We’ve moved our way through morning activities and lunch so today we’re going to talk about rest time! I know some of you might have the urge to check out right now thinking your children have aged out of this time of day but I assure you, it is for all ages…including you, mama. Rest time is a beautiful hour of the day when you can take a few d...
How to Start a Homeschool Group (and why you should) with Danielle Easley, co-founder of Connect
November 10, 2021 02:03 - 1 hour - 88.8 MBFor decades homeschoolers have been plagued by the question, “what about socialization” from well-meaning (and let’s be honest, sometimes not so well-meaning…) neighbors, family, and friends. The question chafes at us because it assumes that the minute we begin homeschooling, we hole up in our homes and avoid all contact with any other humans. That’s just not the case though; community is an essential part of the homeschool experience and a great homeschool group can be the place for you to ...
Homeschool Rhythms: Reading Aloud
October 19, 2021 20:07 - 21 minutes - 22.1 MBSo far in this “Homeschool Rhythms” series we’ve talked about morning time, narration, getting ready, group work, and individual work. We’ve moved our way through morning activities and today we’re going to talk about reading aloud! I want to talk to you today about making read-aloud time a family activity for all time – no matter what your child’s age. This is a beautiful part of the day that can be a little more laid back and relaxing and there are a few different ways you can make it ha...
Homeschool Rhythms: Individual Work
October 12, 2021 03:18 - 31 minutes - 32.9 MBWhen you ask a seasoned homeschooler about structuring the day, you will often hear the same refrain: “combine as many subjects as you can.” But what about the subjects that require a certain set of skills for children to master? You can generally look at academics in two categories: skill-based subjects and non-skill-based subjects. Skill-based subjects are really best taught 1-on-1 or in a very small group of kids at a similar level of skill. I like to chunk these into three categories:...
The Critical Skill of Creativity, with Chad Stewart, award-winning and bestselling author of Britfield & the Lost Crown
September 23, 2021 03:21 - 53 minutes - 40.9 MBWhat if I told you there was a skill that would help prepare your child for any job he might pursue in the future? And what if this skill was so attainable, that you wouldn’t have to purchase a fancy curriculum or join an elite co-op to access it? The pandemic that rocked 2020 has thrown us many curveballs but one positive consequence has been a rise in homeschooling. Parents all over the world are realizing that they can provide their children with opportunities and experiences that are n...
Homeschool Rhythms: Group Work
August 24, 2021 01:31 - 30 minutes - 28.8 MBWhen you ask a seasoned homeschooler about structuring the day, you will often hear the same refrain: "combine as many subjects as you can." Academics can generally be broken into two categories: skill-based subjects and non-skill-based subjects. Anything that is skill-based really is best taught 1-on-1 or in a very small group of kids at a similar level of skill. Some examples are math, reading, spelling, or writing. A non-skill-based subject would be something everyone can learn togeth...
Homeschool Rhythms: Get Ready
May 11, 2021 01:23 - 24 minutes - 25 MBI have no doubt that when my children are grown people, making their way in the world, they will hear the faint refrain of my voice when they roll out of bed and get ready for their day: “Attitude-dressed-bed” And again after they have breakfast: “Teeth-face-hair-deodorant-zone” These have been the anthems of our mornings for years and my goal has been to create habits for them to help them (and myself) get the day off to a right start. If the phrase “get ready” sounds reminiscent...
The Importance of Humor in our Homeschools with Betsy Jenkins
March 09, 2021 15:00 - 31 minutes - 23 MBHomeschooling is not for the faint of heart. It requires endurance and initiative. It requires sacrifice and diligence. But it also requires something you might not realize…a sense of humor. We homeschool moms can be so serious; the stakes are high! We’re going against the grain! What if we mess up…this is our kids we’re talking about, after all?! But, but, but…we were never meant to completely reinvent the wheel, and one of the best things we can do for ourselves, our families, and our home...
Homeschool Rhythms: Narration
February 23, 2021 01:13 - 19 minutes - 20.1 MBIf there is a quintessential practice in Charlotte Mason’s approach to education, it is the act of narration. You can pick and choose which living books you want to read, you can use watercolors or not in your nature journaling, and you can dictate your own routine in a way that best fits your family, but you simply cannot reap the full benefits of Charlotte Mason’s approach without narration. WHAT IS NARRATION? Narration is the art of knowing. Simply stated, it’s the act of telling back...
Homeschool Rhythms: Morning Time
January 13, 2021 03:13 - 18 minutes - 19 MB“Morning time” is a phrase coined by the great Cindy Rollins. She may not be the first person to ever put those two words next to each other, but the idea that it represents, the “coming together”-ness of it, can largely be attributed by the homeschool community to her. Pam Barnhill calls it “Morning Basket” and has an entire website dedicated to the practice. In episode 46 of this podcast, Melissa McMahan referred to it as their “together time.” Others call it “symposium” or “daily basket...
Seeing Dyslexia as a Strength
January 06, 2021 14:54 - 43 minutes - 31.6 MBIf given the option, would you choose for your child to have dyslexia? Dyslexia is widely thought of as a challenge that gets in the way of learning but what if we’ve got it wrong? What if dyslexia is a gift? What if dyslexia helps your child to think in a way that many people cannot, therefore, providing an angle of creativity that this world really needs? What if dyslexia is actually….a strength? Rich Sanchez grew up struggling with his dyslexia but as an adult, he has found a way to har...
10 Favorite Family Christmas Traditions (with special guests!)
December 09, 2020 15:19 - 39 minutes - 40.1 MBChristmas is no ordinary time of year. It intoxicates our senses; the air smells of pine and sugar. The days are filled with music and stories. The soft, warm sleeves on our arms and thick mittens on our hands, and hat on our head triggers our mind to think cozy thoughts despite the biting cold. Our taste buds crave cocoa and peppermint. Our children’s eyes glow with the sparkle of twinkle lights reflecting in them. And our hearts yearn for something…something more…something transcendent…som...
Autism in the Teen Years with Raun K. Kaufman
November 25, 2020 00:36 - 1 hour - 60.1 MBOver the years, "autism" has gone from being virtually unheard of to a buzz word to, nowadays, a word a part of the common vernacular. Most people have at least heard of autism or have a personal connection to the disorder. Many people tend to think of a younger child, perhaps preschool - elementary age when they think about a person with autism. But teenagers and adults experience the joys and challenges of autism, too, along with their families. How does autism change in the teen years? ...
Reclaiming a Wild + Free Childhood for Our Kids with Ainsley Arment
November 11, 2020 13:46 - 47 minutes - 34.7 MBChildhood is a unique growing time for our children; educators, parents, and experts have known this for years and yet childhood often gets swept under the rug at the expense of rigorous academics and a schedule full of structured activities. Children are, for the first time in history, busy. Schedules have largely replaced curiosity. Organized programs have taken priority over free play. And if we're really honest, I think us mamas can admit...it's just too much. What would happen if we emb...
The Importance of Heritage with Amber O'Neal Johnston
October 26, 2020 12:53 - 42 minutes - 32.9 MBTo understand the importance of heritage, we must first make sure we're all working with the same definition. In regards to heritage, the Bible says, "Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him" (Psalm 127:3, NIV). Dictonary.com defines it as "something that is handed down from the past, as a tradition;" "something that comes or belongs to one by reason of birth; an inherited lot or portion;" or "something reserved for one." The tone is one of joy and sacredness; a pa...
Homeschooling High School with Melissa McMahan
October 05, 2020 23:38 - 56 minutes - 45.1 MBHomeschooling High School...what is it about this phrase that makes even the most confident homeschool mama shake in her boots a little? The expectations seem to go through the roof. The pressure from the elusive yet always present critics "out there" seems to double. And the group of moms who've gone ahead of you who have the credibility to cheer you on seems to thin out drastically the longer you homeschool. Melissa McMahan - YouTube host and mother of five lovely daughters - has homesch...
That Time I Met Sally Clarkson and My Nature Journal: One Year of Observation
September 24, 2020 12:54 - 21 minutes - 23.5 MBKeeping a nature journal is a big part of a Charlotte Mason education. Miss Mason had plenty to say about nature study and spending time in the great outdoors. If you’re looking for a way to encourage nature study, My Nature Journal: One Year of Observation is just the resource you need to gently guide your child in this delightful habit. Maybe you're like me and you love the planning process of homeschooling. I revel in laying out our routine, putting in those curriculum orders, and org...
Fun & Fresh Foreign Language Study for Homeschool Families With TalkBox.Mom Creator, Adelaide Olguin
August 26, 2020 13:59 - 57 minutes - 48.7 MBWhat thoughts and feelings come to mind when you think of foreign language study? Conjugations? Vocab charts? Drudgery? Awkwardly trying to piece together a sentence with the few words you've learned? For many of us, the topic of studying a language brings back unpleasant memories from high school or college in a class we took to meet a certain requirement for graduation and nothing more. Adelaide Olguin - homeschool mom and creator of TalkBox.Mom - had a similar experience but she wanted ...
10 Tips for Homeschooling a Child with Autism
August 10, 2020 13:00 - 43 minutes - 44.9 MB'Tis the season for back to school! With the ever-present COVID-19 pandemic and mask mandates, a large number of parents will be looking at homeschooling as an option for the first time this fall. If you have a child with special challenges, this can be a particularly daunting decision-making process…but it doesn’t have to be. I’d like to share 10 tips for homeschooling a child with autism. Ditch the textbooks Education is best acquired through stories and those stories can be found in liv...
The Value of Teaching Through Stories with Jim Weiss
June 25, 2020 17:54 - 1 hour - 58.6 MBStories have been a part of human history from the very beginning and have been used as a powerful teaching tool throughout the centuries. Teaching through stories is a wonderful way to approach lessons in your homeschool, as well. Jim Weiss is a household name among many homeschoolers and he made his mark by doing this very thing - teaching through stories. His seamless delivery and enchanting ability to tell a great tale allows him to weave important character development and historical ...
Raising a Good Man with Nathan Clarkson
June 10, 2020 16:35 - 44 minutes - 37.2 MBHow do you raise a good man? And come to think of it...what exactly does it mean to be a "good" man? Nathan Clarkson explored this very idea in his new book, Good Man, and he was kind enough to come back on the show and talk to us about what that looks like. There is a shortage of good men in our culture these days but not for lack of want from their mothers. I know if you have boys, you probably feel like me and want them to grow into men who are kind and wise and honorable...into a good ...
Record Keeping for Homeschoolers with Outside-the-Box Kids
May 27, 2020 02:40 - 34 minutes - 34.6 MBIs record keeping something you've been keeping up with? Or is it something that keeps slipping from your mind? Or, have you decided to roll up your sleeves and do it but when faced with the amount of paperwork you get too flustered to deal with the decisions - what to keep? What to toss? What do you need for transcripts one day? And what should you hang on to just in case you want a trip down memory lane? Record keeping can get especially complicated when you've got an outside-the-box ch...
How To Do Charlotte Mason Exams: Celebrating Growth with Sonya Shafer
May 19, 2020 02:45 - 49 minutes - 38.4 MBI may have already lost you with the title...Charlotte Mason did exams? She sure did. But to make peace with this, you're going to have to first let go of what you probably think of when you think of "exams" in the traditional sense. I'm not talking about a high-pressure, stress-filled situation postured to see what your kiddos don't know. I'm talking about celebrating the growth and discovering what is taking root in your child's heart. Exams are a great way to evaluate how your child is...
How to Teach Your Kids About Money...without Bribing Them to Do Chores
May 05, 2020 00:42 - 21 minutes - 21.9 MBDo you have a plan to help you teach your kids about money? I’m not talking about coin and dollar amounts - your math curriculum has that covered. I mean how to use money in real life. Do you have a system in place to help you handle trips to the store that provoke the question, "Can I get this, mom?" Last time we talked about Zone Work and I mentioned that we do not pay our children to do that work. That doesn't mean our kids don't have a stream of income, though. Listen today to find o...
How to Teach Your Child to Do Chores: Try Zone Work Instead
April 29, 2020 00:18 - 53 minutes - 57.5 MBAre you looking for a better way to teach your child to do chores? I'm talking about throwing away the sticker charts, being done with the bribery, and ending the arguments when you ask them if they've done their chores. I'm talking about reframing the whole concept of how and why you are teaching them to do chores and thinking about it in a new way (you might even say this is an "outside-the-box" approach ;)). Zone Work is like the cooler, friendlier, more enjoyable cousin of chores. He...
Noteworthy Online Piano Lessons for Your Kids with Joseph Hoffman, Founder of Hoffman Academy
April 18, 2020 21:47 - 46 minutes - 37.9 MBDo you consider music lessons a priority in your homeschool? There are so many possibilities when it comes to curriculum and we've got to make sure the basics are covered...is music really worth teaching, too? When you've got multiple kiddos in multiple stages of development the thought of dragging everybody to a lesson just isn't very practical. Then there's the cost, the time commitment, and oh yeah...the fact that we're all under quarantine right now and we couldn't leave the house for ...
On Grief, Adjusting, and Steering Clear of Survival Mode
April 08, 2020 00:42 - 31 minutes - 32 MBDo you have a plan to help you steer clear of survival mode? I'm not talking about the temporary survival mode; the "new baby/new home/new job/death in the family" type of survival mode. That happens. That is circumstantial. We've all been there. I'm talking about when something happens (like...a pandemic breaking out worldwide...) and we just can't seem to get it together and survival becomes our new normal. Join me today as I talk about handling grief (we just had to say good-bye to o...
For the Accidental Homeschooler
March 25, 2020 02:46 - 38 minutes - 39.5 MBAre you an "accidental homeschooler?" Many schools have shut down in an effort to keep people safe during the pandemic leaving the parents of those children "accidental homeschoolers." Parents who had no intention of homeschooling have now been called to do that very thing...with very little time to prepare for the change. Join me today as I share some tips to help encourage and equip parents in this situation as well as give some practical ways to gauge "success" in your homeschool. You...
How to Help Your Child Deal with Anxiety
March 16, 2020 22:15 - 24 minutes - 27.8 MBDoes your child struggle with anxiety? Whether it’s an ongoing struggle or situational, helping your child with anxiety can be a difficult thing. During this time where the entire world seems to be a little more than anxious, it's important to equip yourself with some tools that can help you and your child navigate stressful topics. Join me today as I share from my heart some of the struggles we've been dealing with in our home. Over the last few years, my husband and I have learned va...
Get Started Homeschooling: Organizing Your Space and Planning Your Year, Term, Week & Day
March 16, 2020 18:25 - 24 minutes - 25.4 MBAre you ready to homeschool? Whether you’re a newbie starting from scratch or a veteran wanting to be sure you’ve built a firm foundation, I want to encourage you on your homeschool journey. I’m not sure what led you to this decision to educate your child at home but I am pretty sure of one thing – you want to do your best. You want to give this thing your all and provide your child with the best possible learning experience. Last time I helped you decide which subjects to choose and how...
Get Started Homeschooling: Subjects to Teach & Curriculum to Choose
January 16, 2020 13:06 - 26 minutes - 29 MBAre you ready to homeschool? Whether you’re a newbie starting from scratch or a veteran wanting to be sure you’ve built a firm foundation, I want to encourage you on your homeschool journey. I’m not sure what led you to this decision to educate your child at home but I am pretty sure of one thing – you want to do your best. You want to give this thing your all and provide your child with the best possible learning experience. Last time I helped you to choose your homeschool method, teach...
When Things Spiral
January 11, 2020 17:32 - 10 minutes - 10.7 MBDo you ever feel like your homeschool - and life - are falling apart? Whether it's a big move, a long holiday, a new baby, or an accumulation of "off days," we all have seasons where our homeschool - and life - seem to be completely falling apart. Doubt, guilt, and pity can overtake us but there's a better way to handle these seasons. Join me today as I talk about a season in my life (when we made two out of state moves in ten months...) when things began to spiral. If you're in a season...
Poetry & Teatime with Julie Bogart of Brave Writer
December 01, 2019 03:56 - 53 minutes - 42.3 MBDo you consider poetry to be a staple of your homeschool? Oftentimes when the subject of poetry comes up with other parents, even the most enthusiastic homeschoolers will admit that they shy away from this subject. When I press to understand why that is, the answer is usually that they themselves are not excited about poetry - they consider it either intimidating or boring or have had such a bad experience with poetry that they loathe it entirely. Join me today as I talk with Julie Bogar...
Get Started Homeschooling: Methods, Teaching Space & Routine
November 08, 2019 03:10 - 18 minutes - 20 MBAre you ready to homeschool? Whether you’re a newbie starting from scratch or a veteran wanting to be sure you’ve built a firm foundation, I want to encourage you on your homeschool journey. I’m not sure what led you to this decision to educate your child at home but I am pretty sure of one thing – you want to do your best. You want to give this thing your all and provide your child with the best possible learning experience. Last time I helped you to begin with some very foundational st...
Embracing Your Child's Differences with Actor, Author & Filmmaker, Nathan Clarkson
October 27, 2019 11:51 - 33 minutes - 26.6 MBDo you find it easy to embrace your child's differences? As new parents - or even "not yet" parents - we can have many dreams and ideas about what our children are going to be like. Sometimes we are accurate about personality traits or hair color or interests but often God blesses us with children who have differences we really didn't expect. We then have the choice - do we push against these differences or press into them? Join us today as actor, author & filmmaker, Nathan Clarkson tal...
Get Started Homeschooling: Begin
October 04, 2019 12:19 - 26 minutes - 28.2 MBAre you ready to homeschool? Whether you're a newbie starting from scratch or a veteran wanting to be sure you've built a firm foundation, I want to encourage you on your homeschool journey. I'm not sure what led you to this decision to educate your child at home but I am pretty sure of one thing – you want to do your best. You want to give this thing your all and provide your child with the best possible learning experience. Homeschooling is not for the faint of heart – there will be ch...
Loving Our Preschool Life with Sonya Shafer
September 18, 2019 02:04 - 44 minutes - 34.1 MBAre you loving the preschool years? According to Charlotte Mason, the preschool years were intended to be "a quiet growing time" but for many families, those years have turned into a time of pressure and unrealistic expectations. It's hard to drown out all the voices in today's culture telling you to "do more" and find a way to provide that simple time for your little ones. Today I chat with Sonya Shafer from "Simply Charlotte Mason” on how to make Charlotte Mason’s ideas a reality. Our ...
Inspiring Speech with Kate Wilde, Director of The Son-Rise Program®
August 29, 2019 04:40 - 55 minutes - 52.1 MBDo you want to inspire language in your child with autism? So often there seems to be an unspoken time limit placed on our autistic children when it comes to language. A sort of "now or never" attitude that implies if our child doesn't talk by a certain time, that window closes forever. Join us today as Kate Wilde, Director of The Son-Rise Program® talks about how you can inspire your child to speak and why it's so important not to give up on the possibility that they can...whether your...
Inspiring Speech with Kate Wilde, Director of The Son-Rise Program®
August 29, 2019 04:40 - 55 minutes - 52.1 MBDo you want to inspire language in your child with autism? So often there seems to be an unspoken time limit placed on our autistic children when it comes to language. A sort of "now or never" attitude that implies if our child doesn't talk by a certain time, that window closes forever. Join us today as Kate Wilde, Director of The Son-Rise Program® talks about how you can inspire your child to speak and why it's so important not to give up on the possibility that they can...whether your...
A Case for the Early Years with Leah Martin from My Little Robins
June 28, 2019 14:18 - 47 minutes - 35.8 MBAre you in the Early Years Stage? If you have a 0-6-year-old, you are living in what Charlotte Mason referred to as "the early years." In her first volume, Home Education, Miss Mason urged mothers to "secure for them a quiet growing time, a full six years of passive receptive life, the waking part of it spent for the most part out in the fresh air." If you think that's a challenge in our hectic postmodern world, you're right. But it's not impossible. Today I chat with Leah Martin from "M...
The Perks of Year-Round Homeschooling
June 13, 2019 13:05 - 19 minutes - 22.1 MBDoes the idea of homeschooling year round overwhelm you? School’s out for summer…unless you live in the Rinna home. Don’t get me wrong – we’re not plugging away at the table working all day instead of playing outside in the sprinkler. We still soak up all the benefits of summer and we even take a few weeks off. I debated over this for a while – I mean, who wouldn’t want a three-month vacation? (Especially the teacher!?) But for our family, where structure is king and consistency is its q...