Skip to content
  • SHOP
  • LOGIN / MY ACCOUNT
Raising Lifelong Learners
  • About
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Books
  • Speaking
  • Shop
  • Contact
Join the Learner's Lab
Raising Lifelong Learners

Homeschooling on a Budget

 

I’m not here today…

homeschooling on a budget

When you have a chance, hop on over to The Homeschool Village and check out my Tips for Homeschooling on a Budget.

Post navigation

Previous Previous
The Ultimate Guide to Science for the Frightened Mom
NextContinue
Incorporating Hands-On Fun Into Your Homeschool
Search

Welcome!


Hi! I’m Colleen, gifted specialist, educational consultant, author, speaker, and homeschool mom of four gifted/twice-exceptional kids.

Grab a cup of coffee, some of that chocolate you’re hiding from the kids, and join me as I learn, experiment, and explore with my kiddos — and hopefully inspire you a little in your journey alongside smart, quirky, creative kids, too!

Our differently-wired kiddos can be perfectionists Our differently-wired kiddos can be perfectionists or anxious bundles of nerves… And this means that they often hold back from trying new things. They fear failure. They worry about letting others down. They're not sure they're capable. We can help them know who they are is enough and able. Let them see you do hard things so they know they can do hard things, too. When we show our kiddos that we tell ourselves, "I can do this," it becomes part of their internal dialogue, too. They may get up and speak in front of hundreds of people... ...or invent a new board game... ...or join an improv class... ...or be in a musical... ...or go away to camp... ...or start a business... ...or any number of things on their way to becoming who they're meant to be. They'll try. They'll fail. They'll know you've got their backs and will be there to help them learn from their efforts, persevere, and then dust themselves off and try again. Remind them they CAN do anything. And that you're there for them. 🥰
Learning can take place anytime, anywhere when you Learning can take place anytime, anywhere when you homeschool... 📗 Especially when you homeschool neurodivergent kiddos who don't like to sit still, seek novelty, and need lots of breaks. 📖 Where are some of the strangest places you and your kiddos have "done school?" 📚📘 #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoollife #homeschoolrocks #becausehomeschool #homeschoolmoms #homeed #homeschoolmama #homeschoolfamily #homeschoolfreedom #raisingpoppies #raisinglifelonglearners #homeschoolgiftedkids #homeschoolinggifted #homeschooling2e #interestledhomeschool #unschool #giftedhomeschool #2ehomeschool #twiceexceptionalhomeschool #homeschooltoday #letthembelittle #homeschooler #playmatters #playtolearn #homeschoollookslikethis #alwayslearning #playbasedlearning #selfdirectedlearning #learningthroughplay
What are some of the super deep dives you and your What are some of the super deep dives you and your kiddos will be exploring this summer? 🌺 ✴ We have one trying her hand at whittling... ✴ One is exploring Minecraft world-building... ✴ Another (the adult child) is creating an online course for tweens and teens... ✴ Still another is gearing up to try some college classes... 🌺 I love that we can embrace the flexibility of our days to explore what we want to, as I've said before, but what I love most is that we as homeschool moms are growing lifelong lovers of learning. ⭐ We're raising kids who know that nothing is more than an asked question, a conversation, documentary, video clip, book passage, or exploration away from learning anything they want to know. ⭐ And isn't that the best thing ever? ⭐ #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoollife #homeschoolrocks #becausehomeschool #homeschoolmoms #homeed #homeschoolmama #homeschoolfamily #homeschoolfreedom #raisingpoppies #raisinglifelonglearners #homeschoolgiftedkids #homeschoolinggifted #homeschooling2e #interestledhomeschool #unschool #giftedhomeschool #2ehomeschool #twiceexceptionalhomeschool #homeschooltoday #letthembelittle #homeschooler #playmatters #playtolearn #homeschoollookslikethis #alwayslearning #playbasedlearning #selfdirectedlearning #learningthroughplay
“Learning can only happen when a child is intere “Learning can only happen when a child is interested. If he’s not interested, it’s like throwing marshmallows at his head and calling it eating.” -Katrina Gutleben 🌸 The best part of homeschooling, in my opinion, is getting a front-row seat to all the unfolding interests, delights, understandings, breakthroughs, milestones, and adventures. 🌸 We, as homeschool parents, get to toss things at our kids to see if they enjoy them or discover a new interest or passion, sure... but those kiddos don't have to endure all the subjects just because everyone else *has* to. They are able to have ownership of their own learning. They get a say in... ...how they spend their days. ...if they want to keep on learning about a topic. ...what they want to do with the resources they have. ...who they are as people and learners. 🌸 Isn't it the best thing ever? 🌸 Homeschooling is a gift. Enjoy it right there alongside your kids. . . . . #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoollife #homeschoolrocks #becausehomeschool #homeschoolmoms #homeed #homeschoolmama #homeschoolfamily #homeschoolfreedom #raisingpoppies #raisinglifelonglearners #homeschoolgiftedkids #homeschoolinggifted #homeschooling2e #interestledhomeschool #unschool #giftedhomeschool #2ehomeschool #twiceexceptionalhomeschool #homeschooltoday #letthembelittle #homeschooler #playmatters #playtolearn #homeschoollookslikethis #alwayslearning #playbasedlearning #selfdirectedlearning #learningthroughplay
What’s your favorite thing about homeschooling? What’s your favorite thing about homeschooling? Mine is the LIFE I get to live learning alongside my kids and watching them discover new things. They teach me so much about the world and who they are. Isn’t it thrilling to watch our kids become the best people they can be? 💕💕💕💕
Inquiry-based learning is not a new concept in edu Inquiry-based learning is not a new concept in education, but it’s rarely something we discuss in homeschooling circles. The reality is that for those of us homeschooling gifted & 2e kiddos, inquiry-based learning can be a powerful approach to their education. A mentor of mine once called inquiry-based learning “artful questioning.” This can as simple as asking your kiddo questions to get them engaged and thinking. But, there are actually five different elements of inquiry-based learning if you want to be a little more formal… ⭐️ Engage – ask artful questions ⭐️ Explore – engage with hands-on activities and deep dives ⭐️ Explain – talk about what was learned ⭐️ Elaborate – kiddo applies what they’ve learned to new situations and problems ⭐️ Evaluate – take time to reflect on what’s been learned I don’t share these steps to complicate things. I want to show you how dynamic this approach can be. It is these five elements that make inquiry-based learning so powerful for gifted/2e kiddos. And we can have all the conversations we want in our homeschool (I can’t be the only one whose 2e kiddos want to talk and talk and talk…) without forcing busywork. You can read more on the site at the link in my bio, but tell me how you support inquiry I’m your own home. I’d LOVE to know since I’m always looking for more ways to keep my own insatiable learners engaged. ⬇️⬇️ Share Below ⬇️⬇️
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy & Copyright Information
  • Contact

© 2025 Raising Lifelong Learners - Colleen Kessler - All Rights Reserved

  • About
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Books
  • Speaking
  • Shop
  • Contact
The Learners Lab