2014 was a big year for our family! Alhamdulilah, the blog has grown quite a bit, so I’m glad to share some of these posts as they may be new to those of you who have joined me this year. If you haven’t signed up for the mailing list to keep updated on new posts, make sure to sign up so you don’t miss what we have coming up in 2015!
1. 50 Tasks to Prep Teenagers for Adulthood
This post surprised me in how popular it’s been, but I know it’s a concern for anyone parenting teenagers. One day I’ll get around to making a printable that goes with this post, but for now, you can just copy and paste it to print for yourself. 🙂
2. Pros and Cons of Virtual School
I’m really surprised there isn’t more about virtual schools in the blogging world. There’s so many similarities, especially when compared to homeschoolers that use a boxed curriculum. I think virtual schools can be a great resource, but there are definitely downsides. That’s what you get here.
3. Best Sign Language Resources for Kids
We LOVE using sign language in our home, and now with Amatullah heading toward the “terrible twos,” it seems even more useful that she has two big sisters to teach her sign. I’m so glad to share resources that have been fabulous for teaching my kids sign language, and reducing the tantrums in our home!
4. How We Came to Islam
Curiosity is normal, so it doesn’t surprise me to see when I guest post elsewhere and people come to my site, they typically make a stop at my page about how both my husband and I embraced Islam. I hope you enjoy it, and get to know our family just a little better.
5. Homeschool High School Schedule
As simple as this post is, I think a peek into someone else’s day is helpful, and I hope you found it helpful also! In sha Allah I can give an update as life gets more sorted out, though, does it ever?
6. When Homeschool Failure is Real
Last year was tough. We had high hopes, high goals, and and we reached some goals but not others. Top that off with a surprise pregnancy and buying a new house? Welp, failure in some aspects was inevitable.
7. Why My Teen Doesn’t Wear Hijab
Life is complicated, and it always stops me in my tracks when someone blatantly asks me, in front of Kira no less, why she doesn’t wear hijab. It’s hard for me to answer in the short amount of time, so for more of my sake than anyone else’s, but in sha Allah others find it eye opening.
8. Our Home Management Binder – A Walkthrough
As our family grows, organization is key. Our home management binder helped get me organized in our homeschool and managing our day to day lives. I hope you find it useful to set up your own home management binder!
9. 10 Things I Wish Someone Told Me About Parenting Teens
Parenting teenagers has such a bad rap, and I wish more people would highlight the benefits of the teen years for parents! I think that’s one reason this post has been so popular, and I hope you find it uplifting when looking at parenting the teen years for you, too.
10. Student Goal Setting Worksheet for Teens
I believe in goal setting, especially for students as they get older. We have to know what we’re working toward in order to have good time management. Sign up for the mailing list to get the printable goal setting worksheet!
Check out the top posts from the other iHomeschool Network bloggers! The best posts from the best homeschool bloggers!
How strange that people ask YOU why Kira doesn’t wear hijab if she’s standing right there! For close friends and family members I guess it’s different, but for random strangers who are just being nosy they should accept the answer “she has chosen not to wear hijab at the moment”. Or, you know, not pry into your family’s personal business.
All that being said, I found the post very interesting. It must be very difficult for Kira and for you to navigate Kira’s father’s family situation, and I pray that she will find her own way and the strength to follow it. My situation isn’t quite the same but my dad is fairly against my conversion to Christianity (he’s a militant atheist) and it wasn’t until I was nineteen that I managed to overcome his prejudice and work out my own beliefs. Now we just don’t talk about it, and it works ok.
Looking forward to another year hearing about your family, you have a fairly unusual story to tell and you tell it wonderfully.
Hi May, thanks so much for your kind words, and you’re right, it is odd how people will ask me and not Kira. I think many feel like it’s my responsibility to ensure she follows Islam, and I am responsible for educating her and guiding her, but the intricacies of life aren’t always thought of.
Interesting that you came to belief after atheism! Of course, atheism requires some amount of belief as well, so maybe it shouldn’t be so shocking. 🙂 I’m so glad you stopped by and I got to hear a tidbit of your own story!