Reaching Higher is a free, monthly homeschool ezine to encourage and equip homeschoolers, bringing you the best advice, articles, websites and encouragement we can to help you as you raise your young ones and build your family legacy!

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Many a homeschooling mom finds herself wondering where to turn for advice and encouragement in her day to day life. Some of us have turned to the internet for information and interaction among like-minded parents – perhaps that’s why you subscribed to this newsletter.

Let’s face it, real life mentors in the form of older women who have walked a similar path to the one we are on, are few and far between. Where in Bible times, a young women and her mother shared the same faith, were all raised in a Jewish culture and usually lived in close proximity of one another, today’s young moms often find themselves miles or even continents away from home, living in a secular humanistic culture and often times, having a different set of goals for their families, even from the majority of Christians in their community. We often feel alone and isolated because of our choices.

So where do we go. Who do we turn to for advice?

Well, naturally, the first stop is the Bible, where the women of old got their wisdom advice and encouragement.

We could stop right there...and if you choose to, that’s good.

However, the two of us have learnt many lessons from reading books by other parents and homeschoolers. We’ve found it worthwhile to invest money and time in educating and better equipping ourselves for this life-shaping job of parenting.

If a doctor studies for 7 years or more to be able to tend to our child’s physical health issues, shouldn’t we parents also invest even more time in learning how to care for our children’s spiritual development and character training, which is of eternal value?

If you are not a great reader, find CD’s and DVD’s instead. These days, you can even buy the Bible in audio format and listen to it while you are ‘multi-tasking’.

Then, ask your questions and discuss what you have learned. There are many homeschooling e-groups where parents ask questions and discuss issues as diverse as potty training, curriculum options, in-law problems, socialization, sport and health choices for families. Become a part of the community of homeschoolers, where others can learn from your questions and experiences too.
We have listed some South African Homeschool Support Groups on our site.

Advice & Encouragement

In this age of print, we have a huge array of mentors available to us in book format.

We, Shirley and Wendy, have put together a selection of our best “mentors” on our new homeschooling book review page. So whether you are looking for parenting advice, homeschooling how-to’s or a specific book on the Charlotte Mason method, be sure to visit this book review page.

Free Printables

This month we have some pages which Shirley made specifically for her whistle stop Footprints holiday with her children and a friend’s family. There were a total of 11 children with the two moms. The children were ranged from newborn to 17 in age. You can download the Bartholomeu Dias, Big Tree and Dolphin pages, Geography Word Search and others from our Free Printable Worksheets page.

To get ideas for a trip of your own, read about her Garden Route Trip here.

STOP PRESS! - We will bring you free printable notebooking pages in every issue of this E-zine! These pages are specifically designed for families who use Footprints On Our Land programs but are available for use in all homes as your children delight in our land.

Websites

Thesedays, when everything is so expensive and most businesses are trying to make a quick buck off the next person, it is refreshingly different to find a homeschool curriculum company giving away something for free every week.

Every week the Homeschool E-store gives a way a free unit or notebooking pack or even some of their amazing lapbooks. Be sure to sign up…and to pay it forward by supporting their business.

We have recommended some of their great products on our website but to highlight some of particular interest to us on the African continent you can look at:

Africa Lapbooking Unit

African Safari Unit

The Geography of Africa

Recommended Literature

This month, we were sent a sample copy of a locally published story, The Greatest Gift. This colourful book is aimed at children aged 2—8 years. It is a story about how and why adoption takes, told in a way that a child can easily understand.Since most of us probably know families who have adopted a child we thought we'd let you know about it.To find out more or order a copy online, go to The Greatest Gift website.

Footprints News

Specially for you

We know that generally, by definition, homeschooling families have to survive on one income.

Well, not anymore! We've discovered a field of opportunity that is ideal for homeschooling moms (or dads) too!

Be sure to read about how many moms like us are taking their knowledge of hobbies, education or other life experience and creating profitable on-line businesses.

Don't think you have to be a Supermom to do it. Supermoms are a myth!

Till next month, we wish you every blessing

Wendy and Shirley

www.south-african-homeschool-curriculum.com

Footprints On Our Land - South African Homeschool Curriculum