Let’s be honest—every homeschool parent has days when everything falls apart.

Someone slept poorly, someone is cranky, someone is crying 10 minutes into the first lesson… and suddenly you’re wondering why you ever decided to homeschool.

If you’ve had a homeschool day like this, you’re not failing. You’re normal.

In this video, I’m sharing practical, real-life tips for what to do when your homeschool day goes completely off the rails—and how to reset without giving up.

Intro
What to do when your homeschool day falls apart
Start with the basics
Begin with a favourite activity
Change the format
Negotiate
Just add water
Go “educational adjacent”
Get out of the house
Give space and free time
And if all else fails…
Outro

Some days, the best homeschool lesson is meeting basic needs, reconnecting, and starting fresh.
If you’ve ever had a homeschool meltdown day, this video will help you feel less alone—and give you simple ways to turn things around.

💬 Comment below: What’s your go-to reset when homeschool goes off the rails?

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#baddayshappen #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling

Are you nervous or scared about teaching history to your kids?

You’re not alone.

Many parents (especially homeschool parents) feel intimidated by history. It’s not black-and-white like math, and it often brings up heavy topics, uncomfortable emotions, and differing perspectives. One event can be heroic for one group and devastating for another, and that complexity can make parents freeze.

In this video, we talk honestly about why so many parents are scared of history and how to approach it with confidence, compassion, and clarity—without feeling like you have to have all the answers.

History isn’t just dates and facts. It involves suffering, injustice, change over time, and ripple effects that shape the world we live in today. It also brings up big feelings around guilt, privilege, and responsibility—often misunderstood as personal blame rather than opportunities to learn and grow.

Intro
Why Teaching History Feels So Hard
Tips for Teaching History with Confidence - It’s okay to admit you don’t know everything
Learn to sit with discomfort—it’s part of empathy
Start with facts, then explore multiple perspectives
Keep heavy topics age-appropriate, not avoided
Use timelines to show how ideas and beliefs change
Remember: history isn’t about being “right,” it’s about understanding
Canadian History Resources - True North History
Outro

Teaching history is about connecting with the past, understanding human struggle, recognizing cause and effect, and growing into more compassionate, thoughtful people. It’s not about blame. It’s about learning where we came from and how we can do better.

If you’ve ever avoided history because it felt overwhelming, controversial, or scary, this video is for you.

History Resources: 🔗 ⬇️

➡️ https://www.truenorthhistory.ca/
➡️ https://www.history.com/articles
➡️ https://www.historicacanada.ca/
➡️ https://www.britannica.com/

💬 Comment below: What part of teaching history makes you the most nervous?

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#teachinghistory #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling

Is this curriculum actually working… or did I choose the wrong one?

Homeschool curriculum is expensive, and when something doesn’t click right away, many new homeschool parents feel discouraged or like they’ve already failed. I want you to know, this is completely normal, and it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.

In this video, I’m sharing gentle, practical guidance to help you decide when to stick with a homeschool curriculum and when it’s okay to walk away—without guilt, panic, or constant switching.

From my experience homeschooling and working with new homeschool families, I often see parents change curriculum too quickly. Jumping from one program to another can actually make learning harder and create gaps, especially in subjects like math. At the same time, there are moments when switching is the healthiest choice.

Intro
When You Should Keep Going With a Curriculum:
It’s meant to be used over a longer timeline
You can pause a topic and come back to it later
Your child struggles occasionally, not constantly
Lessons can be shortened, adjusted, or supplemented
When It May Be Time to Change Curriculum:
Your child is overwhelmed and frustrated multiple times a week
You’re reteaching the same concepts daily with no progress
You’re skipping large sections or rewriting most of the curriculum
The curriculum is not meeting your family's needs
None of the lessons are clicking, even with support (foundational skills are missing)
Pro tip... Do not buy more than one year of curriculum at a time
Outro

If you’re feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or afraid of “messing this up,” this video is for you. Homeschooling doesn’t require perfection—just thoughtful, flexible choices.

💬 Comment below: Have you switched or abandoned curriculum before?

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#curriculum #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling

If you’ve been on Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen stunning homeschool rooms—perfect bookshelves, dedicated desks, open shelving, and beautiful wall displays. And if you’re homeschooling in a small house or apartment (or don’t have an extra room), it can start to feel like homeschooling isn’t even an option.

Here’s the truth: you do NOT need a homeschool room to homeschool successfully.
We had a homeschool room—and after just a few months, we naturally migrated back to our dining room table. That room eventually became my child’s bedroom, and we don’t miss it as a homeschool space at all.

In this video, I’m breaking down what you actually need to homeschool—especially if you’re working with limited space. Whether you’re homeschooling in an apartment, small home, or shared living area, this video will help you simplify and feel confident starting (or continuing) your homeschool journey.

Do you need a homeschool room?
What do you need - A writing surface
A place to sit
A way to store books
A spot for supplies
A place to display work and art
Nice Bonuses
Final Thoughts

If you’ve been feeling discouraged because you don’t have a “Pinterest-worthy” homeschool room, this video is for you. Homeschooling is about learning together, not having the perfect setup.

💬 Let me know in the comments: Do you have a homeschool room—or do you learn at the kitchen table like we do?

🔔 Subscribe for homeschool tips, curriculum reviews, and encouragement for real-life homeschooling families.

Electric Pencil Sharpener: https://amzn.to/3YvKOyq

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#homeschoolroom #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling

As we wrap up 2025, I’m taking a look back at our homeschool year, our family’s growth, and everything I released through True North History. This year brought so many learning milestones for our kids, and a lot of clarity about the kind of homeschool life we want to build.

It was also a huge year creatively — I released multiple new units, expanded existing favourites, and built curriculum I’m truly proud of. Seeing your families use these resources in your homes has been one of the biggest highlights of my year.

In this video, I’m sharing our personal homeschool journey, what changed for us in 2025, and how those experiences shaped the curriculum I created. PLUS, I’m giving you a sneak peek at the exciting new units and projects coming in 2026!

0:00 Looking back on some of our personal growth and successes as a homeschool family
2:17 A full recap of True North History Releases
14:12 A Sneak Peek at what’s coming in 2026!

📚 About True North History
I create engaging, meaningful Canadian history & social studies curriculum designed to support homeschooling families like ours — families who want learning to feel intentional, connected, and fun. ➡️ https://www.truenorthhistory.ca/

👀 Make sure you’re subscribed
…so you don’t miss new 2026 curriculum launches, behind-the-scenes updates, or more homeschool content from our family to yours.

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#TrueNorthHistory #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling

In today’s video, I’m sharing over 30 of my favourite Christmas books... from fun fact books to beautiful picture books, festive chapter books, and heartwarming Christmas novels.

Whether you’re building a December book basket, planning your holiday homeschool, or just love collecting Christmas stories, this list has something for EVERY family.

These are the books we reach for year after year… the ones my kids beg for, the ones we curl up with under the Christmas tree, and the ones that make the season feel extra magical.

Intro
Novels and Chapter books
Carols and Songs
Picture Books
Our absolute Favourites!
Outro

Whether you're looking for classics, new favourites, or hidden gems, this video will help you build your best Christmas book stack ever!

Links for all the Books!
➡️ https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mFSm8-1lveaeBa4L2BfMaRaVOdoCy7-SVhmEM6st3ko/edit?usp=sharing

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#Christmasbooks #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling

Are you looking for non-toy gift ideas that kids will actually get excited about? These practical, fun, and clutter-free gifts are total winners. They're useful for everyday life, perfect for upcoming trips, and guaranteed to make kids feel special.

In this video, I’m sharing our favourite non-toy gifts that kids will LOVE!

Intro
Travel Gifts
Cool Clothing & Accessories
Room Décor & Bedroom Upgrades
Activity & Hobby Gear
Gift Certificates
Tickets
Outro

🎁 These ideas aren’t toys, but kids love them — and YOU’LL love that they’re useful, memorable, and long-lasting.

➡️ Best Gift Ideas for Kids 2025 | Creative, Fun & Educational Toys They’ll Love
🔗 https://youtu.be/NX50X6j28q8

Magna tiles https://amzn.to/3XktRpT
Magna tile doors and windows https://amzn.to/3JLzGJO
Magna tile car bases https://amzn.to/3JoGehC
Mama surprise Big https://amzn.to/49tGSVJ
Mama surprise little https://amzn.to/442O7jA
Air dry clay https://amzn.to/49Leka7
Polaroid Camera https://amzn.to/4qHYfbg
Instax Printer https://amzn.to/3XkYf3u
Lego Flower kit https://amzn.to/4p34fK9
Journal with lock https://amzn.to/4nS0g27
Alcohol Markers https://amzn.to/49HE5bg
Microphone https://amzn.to/43nOwwS
Catan https://amzn.to/3WJMLXd
Ticket to Ride https://amzn.to/43Z8JsY
Hues and Cues https://amzn.to/49b5MZT

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#nontoygifts #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling

Homeschooling during the holidays can feel like a balancing act. Do you stay on schedule or jump into all the festive fun?

In today’s video, I’m sharing practical, realistic, and fun ways to homeschool through December without burning out, losing your rhythm, or missing out on Christmas magic.

Whether you want to take the whole month off, switch to Christmas-themed learning, or keep your routine with a few festive twists, I’ve got ideas to help you build the perfect December homeschool plan for your family.

If you want a fun, cozy, festive December without losing your homeschool flow, this video will give you tons of ideas and inspiration!

Intro
How to decide whether to take time off or keep homeschooling
Christmas novel study ideas
Fun Christmas unit studies your kids will love
Simple festive activities to add to your school days
How we structure our own holiday homeschool schedule
Outro

Christmas Novels
A Boy Called Christmas ➡️ https://amzn.to/4o9uv4N
How Winston Delivers Christmas ➡️ https://amzn.to/4pyzE7D
How Winston Came Home for Christmas ➡️ https://amzn.to/3LXErRk
The Christmas Carrols ➡️ https://amzn.to/43PdhCh
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever ➡️ https://amzn.to/44g5TQA

Christmas Unit Studies
Christmas Around the world ➡️ https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1812390966/christmas-around-the-world-unit-study
Christmas Hymns ➡️ https://campfirecurriculums.com/product/caroling_noel/
Signs of the Saviour ➡️ https://littlehouselearningco.com/products/signs-of-the-savior-at-christmas
History of Christmas ➡️ https://www.truenorthhistory.ca/ (this one goes on SALE November 28th!)

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#holidaylearning #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling