Kara S. Anderson

Homeschool connection, not perfection.

A simple guide to cleaning your homeschooling home (with FREE printable)

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They say that you should write the book you need, so this weekend, as I tried to reset our home, I started sketching out a plan.

At first, it all looked a little crazy.

So I pulled out my three favorite cleaning books:

And I started to think about what I love about each of those books, but why none of the plans work for me …

You Live in Your Home

It’s easier to keep a house neat when you’re not in it.

So that’s the first thing I need you to hear: You USE your house, my friend. 

As a busy homeschooling mama, you are home a lot, and your kiddos make messes – paint and soup and juice and glitter and if you add in any pets … 

So regular cleaning routines might not work for you.

I get that because they never quite worked for me either. 

A New Plan

So I decided to write out a new plan, which quickly turned into a whole system. (It’s amazing what you can get done when you’re procrastinating from actual cleaning.)

And an ebook was born. It’s called The Who Has Time For This Guide to Cleaning Your Homeschool Home.

It’s 19 pages, packed with ideas, systems and 8 printables to help you clean in a new way that works for a family that uses their home a lot.

Inside you’ll get:

A full cleaning break-down – my philosophy, plus trips, tricks and advice on how to clean in bite-sized chunks, while staying on top of daily messes.

Plus, 8 printables including:

Not perfect, but cozy, inviting and calm …

What I present in the book is an imperfect and dare I say lazy-ish cleaning plan.

I have no aspirations to win awards for my housekeeping.

But I also think it would be nice if when the Fed Ex guy came by, it didn’t look like we were in the process of being robbed.

Below, you can grab a FREE sneak-peek at my system, plus you’ll get a coupon code for $4 off the full ebook.

Want to just jump straight in instead? Go you! Just head here.

Happy cleaning, friends,

Kara

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Books to see us through

by Kara S. Anderson 10 Comments

I remember when I got the email from the library that they were closing due to the pandemic.

That was when I knew I was in trouble.

I could figure out how to find toilet paper. I could make do with weird food.

But without books – that’s when stuff got real.

I immediately looked at our budget and decided any free penny would go to books. Even some not-so-free pennies.

I bought used when I could. But I also put books in my Amazon cart because books help me stay balanced.

My Mama Morning Basket

I also reinstated my morning basket.

I first created a mama morning basket several years ago – it was just based off of the homeschool morning basket idea of collecting nourishing resources in one place. But instead of books to read with the kids, I filled this basket full of books and resources for me.

Now before I get any further, I want to say that my kids are 13 and 16. I have time. Especially since the pandemic, my kids basically sleep like hamsters. So if you are a mama to young ones reading this, saying, “I wish I had time to tinkle alone, let alone read for the simple joy of it,” I get it.

I remember those days and all I can say is that they went by in a blink, although at the time each day felt like it was about 6 weeks long.

I don’t really have a format for my morning basket but it always contains a good non-fiction book, some poetry, my Bible and other faith resources, journals, pens and book darts.

I also don’t always go through everything every day. Some days, I spend most of my mama morning time listening to a meditation or audio book and barely touch it at all.

But it’s there when I need it.

My Mama World War II books

The other thing that has helped me through this pandemic has been World War II era fiction.

I kept mentioning this in various places – on Instagram, on The Homeschool Sisters Podcast. Even here and here.

But then people would ask me what I had read and I could never remember titles or authors.

So I finally made a list.

I think it will continue to grow, because World War II era fiction is providing a lot of comfort right now. Something about all those heroines, handling crises with dignity, compassion and even humor is very reassuring to me.

My World War II books also help provide a lot of perspective. Although we have dealt with some food shortages, it never got dire. And after reading 84, Charing Cross Road, I became suddenly grateful that a pantyhose shortage will never be an issue for me. 😉

So I’m wondering – have you been reading more since the pandemic? What’s bringing you comfort right now? 

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A Poem for Peter and The Snowy Day: A Gentle Winter Unit Study

by Kara S. Anderson 1 Comment

On a winter day 12 years ago, I sat curled with my children on the couch, reading the Caldecott-award-winning book The Snowy Day.

We loved the simple yet impactful illustrations, the charming text, and yet – as an adult, I felt that I was holding something much more complicated.

I looked at the publication date – 1962. Ahhh.

***

It was a few years ago now that I first read Andrea Davis Pinkney’s A Poem for Peter with tears in my eyes. She had put Keats’ amazing story into beautiful, lyrical text.

Keats was born Jacob (Jack) Ezra Katz in New York City in 1916 to Polish immigrant parents who had fled to America for a better, safer life.

As a boy, Keats witnessed poverty, (even before The Depression), racism, and discrimination. But he also witnessed the beauty of so many cultures in his East New York hometown.

An artist’s dream

Keats dreamt of becoming a real artist, even though it seemed almost impossible.

In fact, Keats, who was Jewish, changed his name in order to get a job.

When his almost impossible dream came true, and he had the opportunity to write and illustrate a children’s book on his own, he made the main character a young black boy.

The Snowy Day went on to win a Caldecott award, and Keats would write 6 more books about Peter and Peter’s world – an urban city. At a time when so many children weren’t seeing themselves or their world reflected in stories, Keats was willing to risk his work being rejected, just so young boys and girls could see themselves and their lives in the pages of a book.

I knew none of this when I first met Peter with my kids 12 years ago, but A Poem for Peter brings the story alive through poetry and collage.

For a long time, I’ve wanted to create a gentle unit study around these two books, and of course Keats’ remarkable story.

 

Begin with books

And now it’s ready!

My A Poem for Peter/The Snowy Day Gentle Unit Study is a 12-page guide for learning about these two beautiful books together.

It includes ideas for art projects, history, geography and even a little math.

This truly is an all-ages unit study, but some parts will work best for older children and some parts will appeal to younger kids. I think our recipe for Snowy Day cookies and instructions for a hot chocolate bar will appeal to most, though!

I’ve also included lots of book recommendations.

My own Snowy Day kiddos in 2013.

Spread a feast

The idea of this Gentle Unit Study Guide is to spread a feast of ideas to your children, while also helping them grow in empathy and understanding.

These books will help you discuss discrimination and history and have good conversations about big issues.

If your kids aren’t quite ready for that, it’s OK. I still think these two beautiful books have so much to offer, especially when you read them together while enjoying steaming mugs of cocoa.

Get your GUS Guide

For the month of January, you can purchase my A Poem For Peter/The Snowy Day Gentle Unit Study Guide for just $3.99.

The guide will lead you through several days of learning about Ezra and Peter together. With the included book recommendations, you could find yourself heading down rabbit trails that last a month or more.

Truthfully, I just hope that you’ll read A Poem for Peter and The Snowy Day with your children.

These books carry important messages even today.

I think your kids will love them both and learn so much. So I hope you’ll grab my guide and create warm memories together this winter.

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Product notes: This is a digital product. You will not received any printed materials.
Due to the digital nature of this product, returns are not available.

The Enneagram through pop-culture glasses

by Kara S. Anderson 2 Comments

I am currently sitting on my bed, surrounded by Enneagram books.

I’m especially drawn to this one, which feels like it might hold universal secrets. It has to hold something, because it’s 15 lbs.

The Enneagram absolutely fascinates me. I am a sensitive soul – and when people are mean, or loud or sneaky or bossy, my instinct is to crawl into a ball while they kick me.

But the Enneagram – I’m convinced it’s some medieval magic that helps me understand why people are the way they are.

The mistake, of course, is typing people – this book will tell you that’s a rookie error …

And yet, just being aware that we’re all wired a little differently is helpful.

I’d like to note upfront that I am not an Enneagram expert. But I’m fascinated by it.

I drag this around in the car like a security blanket, anxious to check in when there’s a line at the bank, or a long wait at the orthodontist.

But I have to say what has been helping me wrap my head around the Enneagram most is looking at it though the lens of some of my favorite shows – The Office and Parks and Recreation.

TV characters are naturally exaggerated, of course. But that helps when you are looking for clues that are so much harder to detect in actual people.

And …

So I give you:

The Enneagram for Beginners Who Also Like Pop Culture

 

Enneagram 1 – The Reformer

How I picture Ones in my head:

Ben Wyatt

Ones sense right and wrong, are ethical and want the world to be a little more orderly than it actually is.

Take our friend Ben, who wants simple courtesy like being notified that his roommates are throwing a giant Halloween party ahead of time. (With “blooood orphaaans.”)

It’s not a coincidence that what Ben gets on Treat Yo’ Self Day is a full Batman costume, because 1s like justice.

When Ben gets stressed, he can get a little perfectionistic and rigid.

But he’s so cute, we forgive him, right?

I also believe Angela from The Office is probably a 1. But a really unhealthy 1, whereas Ben starts out judgy and unyielding and then finds his center (only to lose it temporarily to claymation, calzones and Cones of Dunshire).

Enneagram 2 – The Helper

How I picture Twos in my head:

Pamela Beesly-Halpert

Pam puts out candy every day and just wants everyone to be happy. That includes her fiancé Roy, who takes advantage of her and does not appreciate her at all. (Remember the video iPod/sweater Christmas?)

Pam eventually realizes she is meant to be with Jim, but it takes so much for her to advocate for herself – she doesn’t want anyone to be mad or inconvenienced by her wants or needs.

She literally needs to walk across hot coals to finally get brave enough to share her feelings.

But Pam can be assertive and she wants others to be better. Remember when she tried to help everyone with their New Year’s resolutions? And how she’s constantly trying to get Kelly to run away from Ryan (instead of running away with Ryan. Ugh. Oh Kelly. Is Kelly a 3? Discuss.)

Erin is very well also a 2.

Enneagram 3 – The Achiever

How I picture Threes in my head:

Tom Haverford

Always striving, Tom is an idea man. He is never down for long, and seems to reinvent himself easily.

Tom’s a charmer, but sometimes he gets so caught up in becoming a mogul, that he takes his friends for granted. Other times, he harnesses his charm to help his friends, though, like when he gets sponsors for the Harvest Festival by hanging out with a bunch of old dudes in a steamroom.

When Tom’s business with Jean-Ralphio goes bankrupt, he initially refuses to take back his old job at the parks department. But Tom grows over time and realizes that his friends are at least as important as fame.

Question: Is Michael Scott a 3? He’s certainly a performer.

Enneagram 4 – The Individualist

How I picture Fours in my head:

April Ludgate Macklin Karate Dwyer

April hates everything, right?

Except animals. And Andy.

And, well, Ron and Leslie, and usually Tom and Donna and Ben and Chris.

So basically April hates Jerry (doesn’t everyone) and Ann, but she only hates Ann because Ann used to date Andy, and really she kind of loves Ann secretly, and is even occasionally nice to Jerry.

This sums up Fours for me. Fours don’t hate everything, but they can be moody and a little melancholy. It’s just because they feel different.

But the “different” gives them ideas no one else would think of. Fours are creative. I mean, who helped save all the animals when the shelter closed down? That’s right. April Ludgate Macklin Karate Dwyer.

Let’s talk unhealthy 4s – Ryan??

Enneagram 5 – The Investigator

How I picture Fives in my head:

Ron Swanson

Someone who first met Ron would think he didn’t allow himself to have deep feelings about much of anything. That’s not true at all, of course – he enjoys wood working, meat and brown alcohol.

But Ron doesn’t want people to know that he has deep pursuits – he wants to keep things private, including his past marital exploits, his birthday and his address.

When Tammies return, Ron’s structured world falls apart instantly, and it’s always his friends who help to bring him back to himself.

Without a Tammy in his life, Ron is stable, if not friendly, but he is always taking in the greater details of a situation, and often willing to counsel those who will benefit from his calm mentorship. (i.e. Leslie, Tom, April … Everybody.)

P.S. I am thinking Ron is a 5w6, because he wants to be prepared for everything.

Enneagram 6 – The Loyalist

How I picture Sixes in my head:

Dwight Schrute

Dwight might be the most devoted employee in this history of the world. Definitely in the history of paper.

(By the way, Dwight knows everything about the history of paper.)

Of course he does. Because Dwight is fiercely loyal to Dunder Mifflin, and his boss, Michael Scott. He is loyal to Angela, and willing to lose his job for her.

Dwight sees past Michael’s many goofball tendencies and is willing to help defend the office at any time from perceived threats – remember the fire safety drill, Dwight’s annual updates on the thousand-year-old martial arts, and Dwight even coming to the rescue of his nemesis Jim when Roy shows up ready for a fight?

Only much later do we learn that Dwight has anxiety. But he learns how to treat it, and through time, he reaches Perfectenschlag, which makes him the perfect choice for new branch manager.

Enneagram 7 – The Enthusiast

How I picture Sevens in my head:

Chris Traeger

Chris is “lit-rally” thrilled just to be alive. So it’s nothing for him to run 17 miles in the morning, and then cook everyone turkey burgers for lunch, all while managing an entire city government.

You really think that nothing can bring Chris down until he has to confront something painful or scary, like disciplining Leslie and Ben for their relationship, or, you know, his own mortality.

Chris would never be negative when helping his pals through a crisis, but the idea of not living to be 130 is terrifying for him, and he has to go through a lot of counseling with Dr. Richard Nygard to get back to a place of optimism and zeal.

There’s a reason Ben and Chris get paired up as Butch Countsidy and the Sumdance Kid.

Chris tends to be very passionate.

“Is there anything we can do about that, Ben?”

Ben: “No.”

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Enneagram 8 – The Challenger

How I picture Eights in my head:

Nellie Bertram

When Nellie shows up in Scranton, she finds an empty desk in Andy’s office, and takes it.

Why not? Andy’s off trying to woo Erin – and “if the seat is open, the job is open.”

Nellie is ambitious, but we soon find out that she doesn’t have a lot of control in other aspects of her life. She got her heart broken by a magician, she has a shopping addiction, and she wants a baby more than anything, but isn’t having much luck with adoption.

Nellie can be confrontational – even subtly – she dresses up as “Sexy Toby” for Halloween.

But she finds a role that fits as Special Projects Manager, and she eventually has the guts to become a mother in a very unorthodox kind of way … Nellie has kindness at her core and an inner strength that helps her overcome obstacles. Nellie is going to be OK.

Is Donna an 8? She can be confrontational. She’s also a cat – so she’s a tough one to type.

Enneagram 9 – The Peacemaker

How I picture Nines in my head:

Ann Perkins!

Guess which Enneagram number was hardest for me to find an example of? That’s right – Nines.

But then I thought about how 9s so often merge with others …

Remember Ann’s boxes of boyfriend stuff? Her Andy phase, her Chris phase …? One might even argue that she goes through a years-long “Leslie’s BFF phase.”

Because Ann is a little scared to just be herself.

She also wants people to like her (so she shares gruesome medical stories with Ron and April, even though April basically has a hobby of torturing Ann), and she works as a nurse, so I bet she could easily get mistyped as a 2.

But I think what defines Ann is her initial spongy-ness. She is so go-with-the-flow that she’s ended up a little lonely.

It’s her friendships and messy relationships that help her finally go against the grain, deciding to get pregnant as a single woman. With that decision, we begin to see Ann grow into herself – not-marrying Chris but committing to him, moving to Michigan, and spreading her beautiful chestnut-haired sunfish wings. Um, fins.

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