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Parenting Your Strong-Willed Child: The Importance of the Walk

Do you have a strong-willed child?

The kind that you see screaming and throwing tantrums at the grocery store? Or in Sunday school?
Yep, I had one of those.
The kind you actually think might NEED medication?
Even though you can’t believe you are thinking that?
Here’s our story.
Please SHARE if you think it will help encourage someone.
And JOIN me on Homeschool Christian Mom FB group for more tips.
When you have a child like this, it is easy to feel like a failure as a parent.
This kind of kid tests all of your reserve strength. This kind of child teaches you to pray!

Our first child was extremely strong willed.

I even talked to our Christian doctor about my daughter. I was ready to put her on medication to help me keep my own sanity. But . . . Continue reading “Parenting Your Strong-Willed Child: The Importance of the Walk”

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Homeschooling Basics: Getting Started

Expert Help for Home School Moms: I want to help you be successful like I've helped others. Picture of kids squirting water at each other outside in backyard.

Welcome to homeschooling! I have homeschooled my four and been working with homeschoolers for over 30 years. Here are the Basics to help you get started so you can have a happy homeschooling experience.

Your schooling style will need to fit your family and its needs, but it will also have to meet the requirements of your state and school district. See below for more resources for your specific state! In New York we have to notify the school district within 15 days.

Homeschooling: You Need Some Books

Generally with home schooling, you purchase and teach the subjects your child needs.  Whatever you are teaching, please join me on Homeschool Christian Mom group on Facebook for additional support. If you are having difficulty with finding curriculum or other resources, I can help you in that forum.

There are very good boxed all-in-one curriculums out there. I used and recommend BJU Press Homeschool curriculum for all my kids K thru 12. You can do parent led where you teach or purchase the DVD’s or get the same material through the computer. For any of those ways, there are recommendations for grading or they do it for you. I love the BJU curriculum because they have thought of everything. Subjects are well put together, they list tons of extra resources if you need it and all the prep work is done. On day one, you teach lesson one, etc. So the value of that kind of complete curriculum was worth every penny to me. Continue reading “Homeschooling Basics: Getting Started”

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Buying Homeschool Curriculum Without Overspending

What Is the Best Way to Buy Homeschool Curriculum for Your Child Without Overspending?

As a homeschool mom who has tried just about every approach under the sun, I get it. The pressure to stretch every dollar is real. You want excellent materials for your kids, but you don’t want to blow the family budget or spend your evenings piecing together a patchwork education from library books and free websites.

So here’s the honest answer I’ve landed on after years of trial and error: The smartest, most cost-effective way to homeschool is to invest in one complete, ready-to-go curriculum box.

Yes, it costs more upfront than a stack of library books. But it actually saves you money—and sanity—in the long run. Let me show you exactly why.

A Complete Curriculum Does the Heavy Lifting for You

When I say “complete and ready to go,” I mean a program that hands you everything you need in one tidy package:

  • All the student books and teacher manuals you’ll actually use
  • Lessons already planned out to fill the entire school year
  • Tests, test keys, and simple grading tools so you can track progress without reinventing the wheel
  • Clear instructions that anyone can follow

That last point is huge. Life happens. If you get sick, welcome a new baby, or suddenly find yourself caring for aging parents, you don’t have to scramble. A grandparent, older sibling, or trusted friend can open the box and pick up right where you left off. No frantic late-night lesson planning. No guilt. Just peace of mind.

“But It’s Too Expensive!”

I hear this objection all the time—and I used to say it myself.

Then I compared the real costs.

Chasing down “free” or cheap materials means:

  • Driving to four different libraries hoping they have the right books
  • Writing out lengthy substitute instructions “just in case”
  • Creating your own daily lesson plans from scratch
  • Trying to squeeze a 270-page math book into exactly 180 school days without gaps or tears

That hidden cost? Your time. And time is the one thing homeschool parents never have enough of.

I’ve also tried the popular free online classes. On paper they look perfect. In reality? Misspellings on every other page. Poor grammar. Distracting (sometimes downright offensive) ads popping up mid-lesson. Lessons that jump around in weird order. Word problems that make zero sense to a real child.

You get what you pay for. And in many cases, you end up paying anyway—by spending hours correcting errors, rewriting explanations, or hunting for better replacements.

The True Value of an All-in-One Box

A quality, complete homeschooling curriculum isn’t an expense. It’s an investment that pays dividends every single school day:

  • Less stress for you
  • Consistent, high-quality lessons for your child
  • Built-in accountability and record-keeping
  • Flexibility when life gets messy

After reviewing dozens of options, the one I keep coming back to—and the one I wholeheartedly recommend to almost every family I mentor—is BJU Press Homeschool.

Their materials are thoughtfully written, beautifully illustrated, and built on a foundation of academic excellence. The lessons flow naturally. The teacher guides are clear and encouraging. The tests and answer keys make grading painless. And yes, the quality shows on every page—no typos, no awkward phrasing, no questionable content.

It’s the curriculum I trust when I want my children to love learning and actually master the material, not just check boxes.

Ready to Stop Overspending and Start Homeschooling with Confidence?

If you’re tired of cobbling things together, tired of wondering if your kids are getting the best education possible, and tired of late-night planning sessions… it’s time for a better way.

A complete BJU Press curriculum box gives you everything you need, nothing you don’t, and the freedom to focus on what matters most—teaching your children and enjoying the journey together.

👉 Head over to the BJU Press website today and browse their grade-level kits. Many families find that the small monthly payment options make it even easier on the budget.

Your kids deserve excellent materials. You deserve peace of mind. BJU Press delivers both—without the hidden costs of “free.”

I’d love to hear which grade you’re shopping for! Drop a comment below and I’ll point you toward the exact kits I recommend.

Happy homeschooling, Elizabeth

P.S. If you’re still on the fence, grab their free sample lessons. You’ll see the difference in five minutes flat.

Yes, I do have an affiliate relationship with BJUPress; however, this article was written as my opinion and not for pay.

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Tasty Belgian Waffles: Crispy Outside, Fluffy Inside

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Tasty Belgian Waffles: Crispy Outside, Fluffy Inside

A tasty batter enhances whatever toppings you add!

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword Waffles
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 3
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 c all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs separated
  • 1 1/2 c buttermilk or 1 1/2 c milk with 1 tablespoon white vinegar Let this substitution sit together for 5 minutes before adding to batter.)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter or margarine melted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp almond extract
  • Non-stick spray

Instructions

  1. Preheat your waffle iron.
  2. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees to hold pre-made waffles until serving.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, milk, melted butter, and vanilla and almond extracts.
  5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
  7. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes.
  8. According to your waffle iron's directions, spray waffle iron with non-stick spray.
  9. Pour about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of batter onto the hot waffle iron and cook until golden brown and crisp, about 4- 5 minutes, depending on your waffle iron. (Mine was 5 minutes.)
  10. Put waffles on rack of oven to keep warm.
  11. Repeat with the remaining batter.
  12. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings: butter, maple syrup, fresh fruit or fruit syrup, whipped cream, etc.

Papa and Mimi just finished enjoying a Sunday night dinner of these tasty Belgian waffles! With 2 extracts adding in flavor, these Belgian beauties stole the show. We think you will like them as well.

 

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Ethiopian Chicken Stew: Doro We’t

This image shows how an Ethiopian dish might be displayed on a plate.

My husband grew up in Ethiopia and loves this Ethiopian Chicken Stew. It is spicy but delicious. It is amazing that a country that has historically been so impoverished has beriberi, a rich combination of aromatic spices that makes their food unique.

We hope your family will enjoy our version of this chicken stew. If you are near an Ethiopian restaurant, this is best eaten with the large Ethiopian sourdough pancake called injera made from teff flour. Injera is difficult to make in the American home kitchen but does enhance this spicy dish.

Some links in this article are affiliate links and if you click on them and purchase I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

This image shows how an Ethiopian dish might be displayed on a plate.
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Ethiopian Chicken Stew: Doro Wot

This spicy chicken stew is a favorite of my husband who grew up in Ethiopia. We think you'll like it, too.

Course Main Course
Cuisine Ethiopian
Keyword chicken, chicken stew, Doro wot
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 2 hours
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 1.5 -2 lbs chicken drumsticks
  • 4 large sweet onions chopped
  • 1 lb red shallots chopped
  • 2 tbsp Berbere an Ethiopian combination of peppery spices. Because the heat index of this spice varies, I recommend starting out with 2 tbsp, adding as needed up to 1/2 cup.
  • 1 stick blue bonnet margarine or butter extra butter as needed up to 1 stick
  • 1/4 tsp cardamom
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 dash ground cloves
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp powdered ginger
  • 2 tsp salt, to taste
  • 2 tbsp paprika
  • 2 chicken bouillon cubes
  • 1 cup water and more as needed
  • 6-8 eggs hard boiled

Instructions

  1. Wash chicken drumsticks. thoroughly. Slash chicken drumsticks to aid in even cooking. Set aside.

  2. Place the eggs in the saucepan in cool water, covering with water by 1 inch. Heat to boiling and slowly bring water to a boil over medium heat; when the water has reached a boil, cover and remove from heat. Let sit 12 minutes.

  3. Cool eggs by adding cold water to your pan. This stops the cooking and keeps the whites from getting rubbery.

  4. In a large frying pan, cook onions until golden brown, stirring frequently. This will take at least 10-15 minutes.

  5. Add berbere to onions and cook for one minute.

  6. Add 1 stick margarine or butter. When the margarine is melted, stir mixture together thoroughly and add to stock pan.

  7. Keep mixture over medium heat and add 1/2 cup water and 2 chicken bouillon cubes.

  8. Add spices and mix throughly (cardamom, cumin, garlic powder, cloves, ginger, salt and paprika.

  9. Add prepared chicken pieces. Add water as needed to barely cover chicken pieces. Simmer for 40 minutes, stirring gently.

  10. This is a good time to peel the eggs. Add the whole eggs to the stew mixture so they can absorb some the flavor.

  11. Taste and add more salt or berbere as needed. If the mixture is too spicy, add more margarine/butter.

  12. Serve hot. Makes 6 servings. Store in the refrigerator.

  13. Good side dishes: Grits, rice, collards, lentils. Serve with injera or bread.

Recipe Notes

Berbere can be purchased here https://amzn.to/4gYnnEt

© 2025 www.homeschoolchristianmom.com

Other favorites:

Recipes: Breakfast/ Snacks

Cranberry Orange Muffins These healthy muffins substitute apple sauce for some of the sugar and have a nice flavor zing because the dried cranberries are plumped in orange juice.

Recipes: Entrees

Carrot Crust (amazing) Buffalo Chicken Pizza Gluten free and delicious, appetizer or entree

Cheese and Sausage Stuffed Zucchini Admittedly this recipe gets used often at the end of summer, but it is good year round.

Cheesy Grits and Cajun Shrimp  I love comfort food!

ABOUT ELIZABETH ESTELLE

Elizabeth Estelle, homeschooling mom of four amazing children, and now a grandmother. She has been married to her college sweetheart for over 40 years. She loves the Lord, teaches, writes, mentors ladies, and likes to cook. She cleans as needed. In her spare time she enjoys teaching art. She led a homeschool co-op for 24 years. Now, she wants to encourage homeschooling families to persevere and be successful in their own homeschool adventure, kindergarten through high school.

If you are serious about raising your children for the Lord and homeschooling, let’s connect:

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@the.elizabeth.estelle

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