Homeschool Fiction

There’s a trend that I am trying to break.  It’s basically the fact that I keep seeing the theme of “That one is successful, so let’s make another identical one.”
This can be seen in many places:

Television shows: How many cop, lawyer, or doctor shows do we need?
Times of television shows: “No one watches television during [...]

For years I’ve had projects that I’ve wanted to do, but I haven’t had the internal (or external) push to start.  There are certain things that are just more fun to do with someone else - like painting rooms and cleaning out closets (this one is especially difficult for me, yet I didn’t manage to [...]

There are several U.S. commercials on television right now that are quite insulting to males.  They imply that men aren’t truly men unless they are meat eaters — and they imply that a man is more of  a man if he eats meat in extremely large quantities — daily, at each meal.
Think this is true? [...]

As a longtime breastfeeding advocate (I used to photograph women breastfeeding children of all ages in my photography studio in Iowa), I rarely talk about this subject anymore since my children are well past weaning themselves  (and I rarely think about breastfeeding anymore, although it used to consume my entire life).
However, with breastfeeding so negatively [...]

There are many misconceptions about unschooling.  Through my talking with people unfamiliar with the concept, I see the same incorrect ideas popping up again and again.  Let’s get the facts clear.

Unschooling is NOT permissive parenting.
Unschooling is NOT leaving children alone to their own devices.
Unschooling is NOT having a “no boundaries” home.
Unschooling is NOT taking the [...]

If You Give a Dad a Computer
by Teagan and Zoë and Lisa Bentley
If you give a Dad a computer, he’ll want to look something up.
As he is looking something up, he’ll notice he has e-mail.
When he reads his e-mail, he’ll want to send a response.
As he writes it, he’ll want to find an attachment.
So, he’ll [...]

If You Give a Cat Some Cardboard
by Zoë and Teagan Bentley
If you give a cat some cardboard, she’ll want to scratch it.
When she is scratching it, she’ll remember she has a scratching post.
When she goes to scratch her post, she’ll notice her cat food.
When she’s done eating her cat food, she’ll lick her paws and [...]

If You Give a Big Girl a Keyboard (click here and here for the other “If You” stories)
by Teagan and Zoë Bentley
If you give a big girl a keyboard, she’s going to want to play a song.
But! She doesn’t know any songs, so she’ll want some sheet music.
As she gets the sheet music, she’ll notice [...]

Click here for PART ONE “If You Give a Mom a Paintbrush”.
If You Give a Little Girl an Ice Cream Cone
by Teagan and Lisa Bentley
If you give a little girl an ice cream cone, she’s going to want some sprinkles.
When she gets the sprinkles, she’ll notice she doesn’t have a spoon.
As she looks for a [...]

The following is written in the style of “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” (one of our favorite children’s books).
If You Give a Mom a Paintbrush
by Teagan and Lisa Bentley
If you give a Mom a paintbrush, she’s going to want to paint.
Before she paints a wall, she’ll have to clear the room.
As she clears [...]