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

Looking for the best gifts for kids this year? These tried-and-true favourites are fun, creative, and parent-approved! Whether you’re shopping for Christmas, birthdays, or just because.... these are toys and activities your kids will play with again and again.

✨ Here’s what we’re loving lately:

Intro
Alcohol Markers
Mama Surprise
Polaroid Camera & Printer
Microphone
Magna-Tiles & Add-Ons.
Air Dry Clay – Soft, colourful, and mixable for custom creations.
Lego Flower Kits
Journal with Lock
Board Games

💡 These toys spark creativity, imagination, and connection — and they’ve been kid-tested in our house!

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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#GiftIdeas #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling

This week, I’m sharing some of our family’s favourite board games that focus on language, logic, and co-operative play. These games are fun, educational, and get everyone thinking and laughing together!

These board games are perfect for family game nights, homeschoolers, or anyone who loves a good challenge mixed with a lot of fun!

Intro
Scrabble Jr.
Banana gram
Pickles to penguins
Kids against maturity
Clue
Art society
Hues and Cues
Elf
5-minute dungeon
5-minute mystery
Villainous
Outro

These games are fantastic for building literacy, problem-solving, and teamwork skills (all while keeping things fun and screen-free).

If you missed last week’s video (all about our math and number games), make sure to check that out next! 🔗 https://youtu.be/Aj9jsxaxWNs

Villainous https://amzn.to/4qrZOtK
banana gram https://amzn.to/4huZx5l
Scrabble Jr. https://amzn.to/4qskyS2
5 minutes mysteries https://amzn.to/4qrC7Sg
Kids against maturity https://amzn.to/4ozzAUm
5-minute dungeons https://amzn.to/4nnAh26
Art society https://amzn.to/4nhNzgz
Pickles to penguins https://amzn.to/47Fwc4L
Clue https://amzn.to/3WQPjme
Elf - https://amzn.to/4hMDiYQ

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#boardgames #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling

Who says math has to be boring? In this video, we’re sharing our favourite math and number-based board games that make learning fun for the whole family! These games incorporate real math skills—such as addition, strategy, logic, and problem-solving—while keeping kids (and parents!) laughing and engaged.

Whether you’re a homeschool family looking to make math time more exciting, or just want screen-free games that actually teach something, this list is packed with tried-and-true favourites your kids will love.

Kingdomino
Battleship
Honeycombs
Monopoly
Dominos
Dutch blitz
Blokus
Mancala
Catan
Ticket to ride
Rummikub
Tell me in the comments: What’s your family’s favourite educational board game?
Kingdomino https://amzn.to/3L6Z6Sy
Battleship https://amzn.to/4o7p7ja
Honeycombs https://amzn.to/3L9kTcg
Monopoly https://amzn.to/3Wp19Uv
Dominos https://amzn.to/3WjrpzJ
Dutch Blitz https://amzn.to/42YpxA5
Blokus https://amzn.to/3WQPsWO
Mancala https://amzn.to/4ovd9Qg
Catan https://amzn.to/4qwl69S
Ticket to ride https://amzn.to/478rLiT
Rummikub https://amzn.to/3JvUBAu

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#boardgames #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling

A few years ago, I attended a mompreneur conference where a mom asked how to balance working with kids underfoot. The speaker’s only advice? “Work while the kids are at school!”

That mom nearly cried... and honestly, as a homeschooling parent, I get it. We don’t have the option of sending our kids off for six hours a day. So, how do you make it work when you’re juggling work deadlines, homeschool lessons, and family life (all under one roof)?

In this video, I’m diving into the real struggles, realistic expectations, and practical strategies that make working and homeschooling possible.

Mompreneur Conference Story
The Struggles – Split attention, guilt, and unpredictability are real—but they don’t mean you’re failing.
Setting Realistic Expectations – Balance doesn’t mean equal time; it means being intentional and giving yourself grace.
Practical Strategies That Actually Work:
Time-blocking to stay focused and productive
Working from home tips – quiet baskets, routines, and focus signals
Working outside the home – flexible schooling hours and prioritizing essentials
Outsourcing help – partners, older homeschoolers, delivery services, and online classes
Outro

You don’t have to do everything perfectly. Homeschooling while working is messy, flexible, and full of tradeoffs—but it’s also doable and rewarding.
🌿 Give yourself permission to find a rhythm that fits this season of your life.
💬 I’d love to hear from you: Do you work while homeschooling? What’s your best tip—or biggest struggle? Share in the comments below!

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#balance #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling

Homeschooling your kids means wearing two very important hats (teacher and parent), and learning when to switch between them isn’t always easy.

In this video, we’re diving into what it really looks like to balance those roles without burning out or breaking connection.

We’ll talk about the challenges every homeschool parent faces (yes, everyone struggles with this!) and share practical ways to make both roles work together—so your home stays both a place of learning and love.

Here’s what’s inside this episode:

Intro
Understanding the Dual Role – The “hat-switching” dynamic of being both teacher and parent—why it’s rewarding and tricky.
The Three Core Areas of Tension:
Discipline – When behaviour interrupts learning: is it disobedience or frustration?
Learn how to tell the difference and respond with calm consistency.
Relationship – How to protect your connection so homeschooling doesn’t feel like constant correction.
Academics – Managing the pressure to “cover it all” while keeping the focus on mastery, not perfection.
Practical Strategies for Balance – From setting “school hours” and using role cues, to knowing when to pause for peace.

Homeschooling is a beautiful blend of teaching and parenting, but it takes intention to keep that balance. You don’t have to choose between being a great teacher or a loving parent… You can be both!

💬 Let’s chat in the comments: Which role (teacher or parent) do you find hardest to balance?

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#balance #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling