{"id":29066,"date":"2013-11-18T07:04:02","date_gmt":"2013-11-18T12:04:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplehomeschl.wpengine.com\/?p=29066"},"modified":"2026-01-28T16:19:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T21:19:45","slug":"vision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplehomeschool.net\/vision\/","title":{"rendered":"A vision for Simple Homeschool: What this site is (& what it isn’t)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A<\/a>
\nJamie Martin, editor of Simple Homeschool<\/em><\/p>\n

Back in 2009, the lovely Tsh Oxenreider<\/a> emailed to ask if I would consider a job as editor of a new site called Simple Homeschool. Thrilled, excited, and nervous, I answered “yes!” and came on board when this blog launched in February 2010.<\/p>\n

Whenever we start a new role–take motherhood or homeschooling for example–we don’t really have a clue about what we’re doing or how to do it best. We feel out of our league, on the edge of our learning curve.<\/p>\n

As this blog began, I took comfort in a quote I’d once heard: “Anything worth doing well is worth doing poorly at first.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sometimes the only way to get better is just to jump in.<\/p>\n

So I did–with an awesome team of contributors<\/a> by my side. Looking back, I’d say it took a year to find our groove and even longer for this blog to discover its own unique personality.<\/p>\n

Like a child who has emerged from infancy and toddlerhood, this space now stands proudly as a four-year-old, eager and confident. Which is why it makes sense to spell out a bit more about this blog–what it is, what it isn’t, who it’s for, and where I see it going<\/strong> as it journeys from a preschooler into a wide-eyed eager kindergartner over the next couple of years.
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What makes Simple Homeschool different<\/h4>\n

Tons of homeschooling blogs reside on the Internet, and when I say Simple Homeschool is different<\/em>, I don’t at all mean different – better, only different – unique.<\/p>\n

Many sites shine on Pinterest — with writers who invest hours to create practical worksheets and printables for you to use in your home. A few (out of so many good ones!) to check out: Confessions of a Homeschooler<\/a>, 1+1+1=1<\/a>, and Free Homeschool Deals<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But if you asked me to make worksheets for you guys I would poke my eyes out with forks and hate my life.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Life is just better, and we have more to offer, when we work within our strengths as much as possible, so I developed this blog based on what I feel I most need in my homeschooling journey.<\/p>\n

Judging from the countless emails I’ve received from you guys, it’s what you need as well:<\/p>\n

inspiration, confidence, and freedom<\/strong><\/p>\n

And that’s the mission of Simple Homeschool: <\/strong><\/p>\n

To deliver regular doses of homeschooling inspiration, confidence, and freedom to parents worldwide.<\/h4>\n

Come to this space for a quick pep talk and a few ideas to carry you through your day. At this blog you won’t find more to do, but less. You won’t find another activity to add to your list, but hopefully a few to remove.<\/p>\n

I want you to leave here thinking “Maybe homeschooling isn’t as hard as I thought.<\/strong> Maybe I really can do this. Maybe I am the best teacher for my kids. Maybe I don’t need an expert to tell me what to do.”<\/p>\n

\"SH<\/a><\/p>\n

What does this mean moving forward?<\/h3>\n

1. On matters of community<\/h4>\n

I love writing, but I also love offering others a chance to write, share and inspire. I couldn’t run this blog without the contributors <\/a>who offer their awesome words here regularly.<\/p>\n

One place our community is currently growing by leaps and bounds is the Simple Homeschool Facebook page<\/a>.<\/strong> As someone who has mixed feelings about social media and joined it kicking and screaming, I have to say that this space<\/a> has become one of my favorite places to hang out and interact with you all during the day.<\/p>\n

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2. On matters of advertising<\/h4>\n

One change that happened in the middle of this year is that I began selling my own ads for the blog. The biggest surprise of all is to find that I absolutely love doing so! I enjoy partnering with companies who have poured their energy and passion into developing products to help homeschoolers.<\/p>\n

I love playing matchmaker and introducing you to resources that might make a difference in your home.<\/strong> I don’t see my job as selling you anything, but as a chance to connect you with others doing awesome work in the world.<\/p>\n

3. On matters of faith<\/h4>\n

I am a Christian and my faith as a follower of Jesus Christ permeates my every decision and daily activities. It influences what I write, why, and how.<\/p>\n

But Simple Homeschool is not a “Christian blog.” And sometimes I get emails\/comments asking about this.<\/p>\n