Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau

Educator, Coach, Life Strategist

Join me on May 12!

It’s conference season –my favorite time of the year! For me, part of the joy of Spring is the promise of seeing friends old and new, gathering together as a community of families focused on Florida home education. What a gift it is to visit with you all again!

I’m traveling to as many events as I can this year, but undoubtedly won’t make them all. I did, however, want to take a moment to thank those of you who host or help organize activities for home educators. Your efforts are priceless and I so greatly appreciate you bringing children and families together!

On May 12, I’ll be speaking at Florida’s largest secular event ever, the Florida Homeschool Association Convention 2022 in Central Florida, at The Center at Deltona. This event is bringing together experts and professionals from all around the state, and they’ll have a giant vendor hall packed full of curriculum and booksellers, schools and service providers, Florida organizations and evaluators, and more! I’ll be delivering their annual “Homeschool 101” session as well as meeting and visiting with guests at the FLHSA booth.

Learn about it here:

https://www.floridahsa.org/event-details/homeschool-conference-secular-book-fair

I really hope you’ll stop by and say hello!

When you grab your tickets (get them here) make sure to check out the conference program, list of vendors, speakers and workshops, and tick off the ones you really want to see. Place an extra check-mark on my session, because I would love to meet you there!

Hearing your stories and sharing space with you and your families is what conference season is all about — connection.

Hope you can join me at the Florida Homeschool Association event on May 12! Head over and buy your tickets right now, so you don’t forget.

Tickets are only $35 for everything Florida homeschooling, on one day, in one place!

GET TICKETS HERE

Happy Spring,

Marie-Claire

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure and professional safety net to become a homeschool mom, education advisor and homeschool counselor, 25 years ago. A home education pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her first book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, was industry-acclaimed when it illustrated how homeschooling could rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone could begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. She has written about science fairs, successful parenting, Florida homeschooling, success in getting into college with top scholarships, and more. A writer, a homeschool leader, and a guidance counselor for homeschooled high schoolers, Marie-Claire shares her expertise in areas that impact homeschool, education, parenting and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at Florida Home Education Summit, FPEA/Tampa, H.E.R.I., HECOA, Start Homeschooling Summit, Heart of the Matter, Cultivating Grace, Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and hundreds of other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT, Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and countless sites and blogs nationwide. Dr. Moreau currently acts as the Director of the Florida Homeschool Association (FLHSA) and can be reached via their website: www.floridahsa.org.

High School Planning & State Scholarship Eligibility

I’ve written previously of the importance of planning for high school, and about mapping out a list of courses and experiences needed to reach the finish line with a successful goal in mind.

If you haven’t looked at one in a while, see what a comprehensive, four-year high school plan might look like, for a traditional or college-bound student, to refresh your memory:

Now, what if scoring ‘the big state scholarship’ is also part of the plan? How should families include scholarship requirements on the high school plan, and is it reasonable to expect teens to complete any extra courses by the time they turn the tassel, too?

The answers to these questions lie in the scholarship handbooks themselves. In Florida, for instance, a new Bright Futures Scholarship Handbook comes out every year. Inside, all the requirements are shown in table format, plus any revisions to the program are clearly explained. Georgia’s HOPE scholarship program also comes out with annual web updates, as do all the other big merit scholarships offered across the United States every year.

Look up your state’s scholarships by starting with your department of education’s website, or the office of financial assistance. Chances are, there’s a big scholarship opportunity available to your homeschooled teen, and your goal is help him/her find out about it — early enough to make the right choice.

Reviewing Requirements / Making Decisions

For the best chance at earning scholarships, parents and their teens should carefully review scholarship materials, making a list of classes, test scores, volunteer hours, GPA scores, letters of recommendation, or anything that could potentially be needed upon application. Ideally, this review should take place during Freshman year, or even before, to get a jump on everything that needs to happen over the next four years.

With the requirements in hand, it’s time for important decision making, including knowing whether the student is genuinely planning to attend college (assume yes if they’re not sure), whether funding is definitely going to be necessary, and if the student is willing & able to follow [at least a semi-] traditional curriculum path that preparing to earn the scholarship might require.

Florida: A Case Study

As an example, take a peek at Florida’s 2020-2021 requirements for the Bright Futures Scholarship, keeping in mind these eligibility requirements can change from year to year:

As you can see, in some cases, the choice is clear and easy. Students already planning to attend college and already planning to complete a traditional and rigorous curriculum may find they were already going to be eligible for the scholarship anyway. Or, at least, with a few simple course substitutions or alterations, scholarship eligibility is already closely within their reach.

For students pulling together a unique or non-traditional high school experience, however, the decision may be a more difficult one. Weighing the value of doing high school one way versus the potential of meeting scholarship requirements is something to think strongly about. Or maybe the choice is already quite clear, as the student may be unwilling to cater to an institutional view of a high school education, favoring a more personal and meaningful approach for the next few years.

[The same choices are made for dual enrollment degrees, by the way, but that’s a topic for another day.]

In general, state scholarship requirements closely resemble a rigorous high school public education, or some set of courses which typically prepares graduates for entry into competitive public colleges and universities. In Florida, for instance, students must take 4 math courses, 4 English courses, several science classes, and so on. Since these programs are merit-based, scholarship committees must quantify what they’re seeking in terms of what the best high school graduates have to offer every year — forcing homeschoolers to fit into those frameworks, too.

What I Recommend

The best advice I can offer — and what I tell my own clients – is to first have a heart to heart conversation with the student, or many conversations over a period of time, going over the possibilities for homeschooling high school, and trying to ascertain to some degree what the student’s goals are for graduation. Then, armed with that information, it immediately becomes obvious whether planning for state scholarship eligibility falls easily within the high school plan the student might have followed anyway, or whether aiming for big state money requires a major change of focus and intent.

I also try to guide my clients to look at all sides of the decision making, if they can. Whereas free scholarship aid is an excellent goal and can make the difference between the student attending the college of his/her choice, or going to a less expensive local, part-time or online option, the lure of college funding can also blind us to leveraging the power of a home education during the high school years. That power, of course, includes the freedom to customize an education for our specific learners and to meet them exactly where they are, with exactly what they want to do. Why, then, would we turn our backs on this freedom and potential for a crack at winning free college later on?

It can be hard to look away from free money and set aside our desire to make high school a practical and enjoyable learning experience for the student. But, in the end, prepping for college and scholarships with a student who is interested in neither, can make high school overwhelmingly difficult and time-consuming, not to mention miserable, too.

Final Thoughts

In summary, I advise tackling these important questions early and often during the high school years. It is only by talking things out that families can determine whether state scholarship goals are necessary and realistic, or will underserve the teen’s only chance at making the most of his/her high school years. And this is a very personal decision indeed.

Take my free high school mini-course

See my high school e-book to learn more

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA/Tampa, H.E.R.I., HECOA, Start Homeschooling Summit, Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT, Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Great Gift Ideas for Mom

[This post may contain affiliate links]

We all have moments when it’s hard to come up with gift ideas, or we’re just running dry on gifting something we haven’t already done before. Here’s a fabulous list of finds taken directly from Amazon. They’re all [currently] in stock, and all available for delivery in time for the winter holidays!

Thoughtful, well-priced and sure to make a statement when she opens the box, choose something on this list for a woman you love.

Remember what I always say about self care? How about forwarding this list to someone who’s been asking you for gift ideas, too?

Great gift list for all the women in your life ~ time saving and curated for the ones you love:

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Shoulder Bag Ensemble — 3 Piece Purse Set

There’s a reason this 3-piece tote bag set has almost 9,000 reviews — it’s incredible. Under $50 and comes in a variety of colors, this is a knockout purchase for moms who want to look stylish and put together, no matter what the day brings on. Buy it here

Scented Aromatherapy Candles Gift Set in Pretty & Portable Travel Tins

Soy wax and essential oils come together perfectly in these gorgeous scents that are both safe for burning and healthier to inhale. Presented in a beautiful gift box, each candle comes in a colorfully whimsical tin of its own. Scents include lemon, fig, lavender and springtime for a total of 75 hours of relaxation bliss. Buy it here

UGG Women’s Scuffette II Slipper

Nothing like UGGs for hanging around the house, but let’s face it, they can get pretty hot (not to mention worn) when used as slippers all day. Enter the UGG Scuffette as the perfect alternative for gliding on and off without the hassle of pulling on a pair of boots. Same UGG quality and comfort, just a slighter lower price tag. Buy it here

Two-Piece Off One Shoulder Velvet Jogging Set

Who says matching sweatsuits are out of style? Not anyone who loves the velvety feel of this sexier version of the iconic 2-piece set. Highly rated and comes in many colors, this is a favorite for daytime or could be worn as pajamas, too. Buy it here

Velvet Headband Hair Accessory

These luxurious head bands aren’t just for taming uncontrollable hair, they’re the perfect boho, vintage, or classy accessory for any occasion, casual or elegant. Great price point and they come in several classic colors. Buy several, so she can choose her daily favorite. Buy it here

Lavender Artisinal Soap Bars Imported from France

Heavenly scented soaps made with skin indulging Shea Butter and sea salt, these glorious bars also come in sage, rose, almond, and other scents, too. Well priced, and these would look especially lovely if 3-4 were arranged in a pretty box or basket. Buy it here

Surgeon’s Skin Secret Beeswax Cream in Orange Citrus

When I first tried this yummy scented orange lotion, I found it a little stiff and hard to apply. But after warming it in my hands for a few seconds, I realized the wait was worth it – silky smoothness and superior protection from the elements after just a couple of applications. I won’t be without this cream ever again, and I take it out as soon as the weather cool each year. The feel good sweet orange scent is a great pick-me-up, too. A fabulous treat for anyone, not just the women on your list. Buy it here

Homedics Relaxation Indoor Tabletop Fountain

Few people can resist the tempting sound of water to bring about an instant sense of calm during an otherwise busy day. With this tabletop fountain, users experience instant Zen just listening to its soothing sounds. This particular corded model comes with its own on/off switch. The design is especially great since it fits with any decor, from modern/industrial to eclectic and everything in between. Buy it here

Indoor Organic Herb Garden

It’s both fun and satisfying to be able to source fresh herbs right from your own garden. For those without an outside garden plot, this handy indoor garden helps her harvest up to 9 different varieties every season. Comes with everything she needs to sow and and nourish herbs like thyme, oregano, parsley, and more. Since everything is reusable, with new seeds every season, this beautiful gift can be used year after year. Buy it here

Speedy BOSH! Plant-Based Cookbook

Lots of folks are searching for plant-based recipes but not everyone has time to source complex ingredients or make difficult recipes. In this BOSH! cookbook, weeknight crowd pleasing plant-based recipes make it to the dinner table in under an hour. The photos and presentations in all of the best-selling BOSH! cookbooks make them favorites for browsing and inspiration. I think you’ll love this one, which is perfect for busy people. Buy it here

Portable Laptop/Book Stand for Reading in Bed

Whether you’re buying for an avid reader or someone who just enjoys flipping thru a magazine before bedtime, this adjustable stand is a handy thing to have around. It works as a laptop stand, too, but best to prop up for reading on a comfy chair or sitting up in bed. Inexpensive gift that could easily be paired with a book or series she hasn’t read. Works great as a breakfast tray, too! Buy it here

Gemstone Birthstone Earrings Set in 10K Yellow Gold

This classic dangle earring can be dressed up or down, and with a secure clasp, she won’t need to save them for special occasions. Available in every birthstone, choose by birth month, or simply her favorite color. This earring comes in amethyst (shown), aquamarine, emerald, and every month of the year. This perfect design is sure to become a staple in her jewelry wardrobe. Buy it here

Wishing you all the gifts of the season, tangible and intangible,

As a coach, writer, recovered over-doer and busyness addict, I understand the challenges of creating a balanced, healthy lifestyle while the mind tries to sabotage your success. In my journey to vibrant health, I created a personalized health system of nutrition and supplementation, lifestyle changes, and I retrained my mind and the energy of my body. I view my success as the formula to my happy, healthy life. I now empower other women to create their own personalized formulas, including the tools and strategies just right for them! Amazing life shifts come from our relationships. I look forward to helping you, too!

Clever chairs combat the dangers of sitting too long

(This post may contain affiliate links)

The body is meant to move — not stare at a screen all day. Yet that’s what millions of kids are doing every day, not only in school but in their personal lives, as well.

The dangers of sitting are well known for adults, but did you know that sitting was harmful for children, too? Study after study points to significant health issues in people who are too sedentary, and these start early in children, too. I believe in interrupting these patterns early on. But, what can parents and teachers realistically do, when several hours of school is required every day?

Over the coming weeks, I’ll begin sharing tips for active learning and keeping students healthy and focused. In today’s article, I discuss several clever and affordable products that keep students’ bodies active while listening to online lectures.

Affordable products to keep virtual students active & healthy
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Ball Chair

When my children were young, we kept several of these ball chairs in our homeschool room. Bouncing and rolling around the room proved really helpful for getting wiggles out, plus they’re just really fun to use. Contrary to my initial concerns, they were impossible to pop with normal use, and adjustable to any kid’s size and preferred level of firmness. It wasn’t until my teens started online classes in high school that I had to replace them again (because they’re just so darned fun). I actually still have one of these chairs in my office today:

Click for information about this product

Under Desk Peddler

How great would it be to squeeze an exercise sesh into watching a movie or online lecture? That’s exactly what you get with this portable peddler, which you can place under a child’s desk or in front of a chair anywhere in the house. I wish I knew about these peddlers when I wrote my first book and developed body aches from sitting so long (and a bunch of extra pounds). Used mostly as a bicycle, this device can also build balance, strength and coordination in arms and hands, too:

Click to learn about this product

Wobble / Balance Board

Standing has never been more active and fun than balancing on this clever balance board. Instead of just passively watching, students stay alert and challenged the whole time. This product is a lot more tiring than it looks, but it doesn’t have to be used all day. Swapping it out for a chair throughout the day gives students periods of activity while listening to lectures or waiting for their next lesson to begin:

Click to learn more about this product

Active Swivel Chair

On this twisting, wobbly stool, younger students can rock, sit, or spin as much as they need to. Available in different sizes online, this one is designed especially for kids up to age 12. The most durable and affordable option for kids in this age group, ordering several of these to use at home or in the classroom won’t break the bank:

Click to learn about this product

Ergonomic Kneeling Chair

Adults may recognize this kneeling chair as a blast from the past, but this innovative design has withstood the test of time, because it works! By keeping knees bent and lower than the hips, the body is forced into better posture for writing or using a keyboard. Available in various price ranges and materials, this particular one is comfortable on both knees and hips:

Click to learn about this product

Feel free to tell my readers about the products you’ve used to combat a sedentary lifestyle — by leaving a COMMENT. Best wishes for staying fit and active throughout your school year!

Amazing classroom products you need now!
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Related Articles:

Pandemic homeschooling how-to…

Temporary homeschooling offers lasting benefits

Can you homeschool after public school…

Why I wasted a good education…

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA/Tampa, H.E.R.I., HECOA, Start Homeschooling Summit, Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT, Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Temporary homeschooling offers lasting benefits

Parents may wonder if short-term (temporary) homeschooling is a good idea. Whether facing a long-distance move, caring for a family member, dealing with a certain trauma, or just wanting a change of pace, will up-ending a child’s education jeopardize their entire future?

These are legitimate worries, especially when decisions must be made rather quickly. Most commonly, parents wonder if there are any real benefits to homeschooling anyway, especially if only for short time. They worry it may be risky, or just plain selfish, to keep a child home when others are somehow managing in the same situation. They wonder if they’re too “soft”, overly protective, or should trust their own instincts when making such a weighty decision on their child’s behalf.

Justifiably, parent concerns include how today’s decision might impact their students in the long term, especially when students are involved in activities, accelerated programs, or nearing graduation. We’ll look at all these issues today, and more. I hope to give a perspective to anyone facing a difficult school choice at this moment, or who wants to share this article with a friend who is grappling with this decision right now.

Homeschooling temporarily offers lasting benefits
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While my professional advice won’t apply to exactly everyone, in most cases, I want you to know that temporary homeschooling can be overwhelmingly beneficial for students, and usually also for their families, too. Not only are the advantages of homeschooling enormous, but the benefits start accumulating on the very first day. Thus, even when only for a short time, say, a few weeks or a few months, the positive effects of short-term homeschooling can potentially impact students for a lifetime. There are very few reasons I can think of for postponing what can be a very positive experience for all involved.

Positive Impacts of Temporary Homeschooling

Positive impacts of temporary homeschooling
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Reconnecting as a unit

During periods of change, there is nothing greater than being surrounded by those you love and who matter the most. The solidarity of a family unit combined with the practical aspects of having everyone in the same place can be invaluable during a crisis, or any time the need for support and understanding is higher than normal. Family and friends often come together to circle its vulnerable members for protection. Tested over centuries, this is especially valuable for children, and should be considered any time a child’s well-being is at stake.

Getting to know your children as students

Too often, often through no fault of their own, parents become disconnected from their child’s experiences outside the home. By working with children not just as kids, but also as learners, parents glean valuable information about what has (and hasn’t) been successful in traditional school settings. Even when issues cannot be addressed at home, they can be brought to a school’s attention at a later date. In either case, children win by receiving needed services, remediation, or a change of environment altogether.

Opportunities to teach life skills

When life gets busy and chaotic during the school year, it leaves little time to teach the practical skills kids really need for their futures. In only short periods of time at home, kids can be taught simple things like cooking, laundry and minor household repairs. And, without a whole lot of effort (comes mainly via modeling and participation) children who spend time with their families gradually learn such valuable life skills as personal finance, health and wellness, team work, child care, and so much more.

Sparking (or fueling) new interests

Homeschooling comes with more flexibility, which usually equates to less rushing to and from meaningless activities. And when time resources are increased, children benefit by finding time to do the things they love to do. Whether it’s discovering a book series or starting a new hobby, time means igniting new passions or practicing existing skills. Extra time also gives parents an opportunity to facilitate a child’s efforts, by providing supplies or just offering praise and support. With minimal supervision, children’s lives are expanded and enhanced with the gift of time, something not always afforded during a traditional “school year”.

Filling in gaps of all kinds

It usually isn’t until we’ve spent a lot of time with someone that we notice what they’re truly like. This is exceptionally true in families who never spend more than a few hours together per week. When students are home — even for a short while – parents tend to observe what they didn’t realize was there. Mending emotional hurts, correcting simple misunderstandings, even noticing educational holes means these can be addressed before sending children off the next year. The simplest of things sometimes make the greatest impact. There is no better use of time than focusing on small problems before they snowball into larger issues later on.

Positive experiences and outlook

I’d be remiss by not listing all the other benefits of short-term homeschooling that are impossible to measure, or even define. While homeschooling doesn’t work for everyone, those who do it tend to look back with much fondness. Pointing to benefits in lots of different areas — from health and well-being, to greater access to resources, to flexibility of lifestyle, to overall contentment – homeschoolers tend to really enjoy the experience, even when it didn’t last forever.

What About The Future?

In all the examples you’ve just read, it’s easy to see how the benefits earned by homeschooling temporarily should never be lost, even when children go back to traditional school. Any possible inconveniences or schedule disruptions are usually more than outweighed by the lasting impacts of being home, even if just for a little bit. Knowing how successful homeschool graduates tend to be, there is no need to worry about doing it for a short length of time. If anything, it should be a boon to both student and family.

Regarding concerns over educational outcomes, it’s important to remember that educational content is recycled and revisited many times before students ever graduate from public schools. What that means is, there’s very little chance students won’t get to make up “lost” material before they’re through. And older students, especially those nearing graduation, are very well-practiced and capable of producing work in short periods of time, not to mention exceptionally resilient over many years of functioning within the same system under fluctuating circumstances. It’s highly unlikely a brief period in which students missed classroom lessons will make any difference at all.

Yet, time spent with a family, whether it’s shoring up relationships or mending wounds, can’t ever be replaced. All that said, if temporary homeschooling is what your family needs at this time, you have permission to do so without guilt, and without excess worry about the future.

Are there ways that homeschooling has positively impacted your family — even if you only did so temporarily? Please share a COMMENT to encourage more of my readers. And, thank you, for all you do for your children and family, no matter what form of education you choose.

Related Articles:

Pandemic homeschooling how-to…

Can you homeschool after public school…

Why I wasted a good education…

As families flock to homeschooling…

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA/Tampa, H.E.R.I., HECOA, Start Homeschooling Summit, Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT, Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.