I’ve spent most of my adult life homeschooling our children …..and in 2011 we graduated our youngest, who has Down syndrome. All four of our kids are now adults.
I’m the author of Thriving in the 21st Century, Women of the Old Testament: 14 In-Depth Bible Studies for Teens, The Imperfect Homeschooler’s Guide to Homeschooling, and Life Prep for Homeschooled Teenagers, along with a couple of eBooks (with more to come).
I often speak to homeschool groups about homeschooling, and I’m also a freelance writer/editor and former newspaper reporter whose work has appeared in Focus on the Family Magazine and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. I have a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
My husband Tim and I publish books and curriculum for homeschoolers via our company, Cardamom Publishers.
You’ll find lots of my articles and freebies at BarbaraFrankOnline.com. Do visit my newest project, www.thrivinginthe21stcentury.com
Email me at cardamompublishers at sbcglobal dot net.
I like your blog it is very nice. I am on THL with you.
Shirley
Thanks, Shirley! So glad you stopped by
Barbara, I’m glad I landed at your site. I, too, have a child with Down Syndrome as well as older children, and will likely enjoy following what you have to say on your blog.
Hi Barbara! Long time no see. Did you do the HOUSE/InHome conference this year? It’s my first year not going and I certainly felt it.
It’s great to reconnect with you online and read your blog.
I LOVE YOUR PICTURE!!! It is the cutest! That little face! Wonder what the little you was thinking?
Best regards, Maureen
Hi! My name is Robbi Almanzar. My husband is a pastor and my sister, Krista Dowell and her husband are missionaries in Nicaragua. Krista and I lost both our parents last year and we needed to be able to do something together. So we put our heads together on Skype and wrote a series of kids books. They are not “Christian” books, but they are very entertaining, educational and wholesome. The first book is out on kindle and nook, and the paperback book will be available in a couple of weeks. The first book takes the characters to Australia, the next book takes place in Nicaragua, the third is in Alaska, the fourth is a tour of the US and the fifth will be in the Kalahari. I would like to know if you have any ideas that might help us promote it among home schoolers.
Krista and I both homeschooled our kids back in the 80s and 90s before there were many resources available to us. I wish we could do it now! I truly appreciate homeschooling moms and I think how fortunate their children are. Krista and I are both so pleased that between us we have 17 grandchildren being homeschooled, (and a new one due in Nov). I know how busy you are, but if you found the time to read our book, we would truly appreciate it. Sincerely, Robbi Almanzar
Will contact you via email, Robbi
barbara—I have a 2nd grader and I am looking for a curriculmn for bible…I am unable to homeschool because I work full-time but I want her to have the Bible as her strong hold in the public school…I need some suggestions. Any Ideas would be welcome…I’ve looked at CPH but I am having difficulty navigating through their site.
Barbara,
I happened across your site this morning…I have a son with
and willing to try, I just do not know how to get started. Please advise, I am in tears writing this to you now!
DS, a beautiful, bright little boy named Evan, who is 10.5.
I am seeking info on homeschooling him. Right now I am just disgusted with some things in the public school that he attends, and I wonder if I can do this? I attend school at night; my husband works all day. I am 54, but act 10 years younger
Thanks so much…are you a Christian? I am!
God bless…
Beth
Am emailing you separately, Beth.
I am going to send your article to the head of our state group. I heard that they”might be needing a replacement speaker” for the preschool teaching section, so I offered to speak. As a mother of 12. Ages 29-6. One whom has serious health delays ,and being of the mind that homeschooling is a relationship and joyride with God. I was really surprised that my interest was rebuffed because I do not attend the “usual state activities(which would also impede my ability to continue on my marathon of a journey) and I was not well known to this one person. I am still doing preschool with my youngest ones and because of learning issues I must incorporate brain gym, neurodevelopment as well as play etc and working on self image and scripture understanding and memory. Six of my children have graduated and all have found a way to go to college without loans etc because they so desired. The oldest is third year med, second is health physicist at local teaching nuclear facility, etc etc. all very accomplished in music and debate. All with me being a laid back homeschooling, non pushing academics mom. All of my children are strong solid Christians so far. PTL! Teaching others and sharing the faith. Even though I have 6 still under 18 I do feel like I have things to share but not much time. Was I wrong to offer or is this systematic of what is wrong with the homeschooling community being like a club. At least that is what I see. We take the best from all theories at our “homeschool”. We are always researching for the one best way for us not anyone else (As Gilbreath put it. )And making each child’s learning experience unique and personalized and using new methods but not forgetting what we did in the past that worked. My preschool was map studies and reading the classics to my children while they built duplo towns or played chess. (at 2 &5 years old )or listening to classical music and hitting nails into a piece of scrap wood. Before we had instruments we used to whistle the classics. And listen to ranger bill and stories of great Christians during bath time. Is academics our new God?
Kelly, I have emailed you
Hello Barbara I just got your book ‘ The Imperfect Homeschooler’s Guide to Homeschooling,’. It is wonderful and such an encouragement to me. Im at the part where you were wishing another homeschool family could move into the house that your family was moving out of. I wish I could have known.
We’re moving right now and looking for a “homeschool-friendly” home. Thanks for writing this book. God Bless You
Thanks for your kind words, Latryce, and for taking the time to leave them here. Wish you could have had our house! Hope you find what you need soon. Take care and thanks again
Thank you so much for your blog. I’ve been pulling my hair out going from one legally jargined website to another for this information. We are moving from the US to Ecuador and I HAVE to find a homeschool program for our 10yo DS daughter. This is just what I was looking for! Thank You!
Good for you, Ann! Your decision is a great one. I’m sure your daughter will thrive. Thanks for sharing your news