Austin Home Educators

A friend referred to us as “homeschooling, but actually at home” as if that’s not the norm.

And honestly, that phrase has stuck with me.

Because every time I mention we homeschool, someone immediately asks, “so what co-op are you in?”

And hear me out:

I have NOTHING against co-ops. I think they can be wonderful if they work for your family.

But I’m starting to realize that many people assume co-ops are the ONLY way to homeschool.

One of the biggest reasons we chose to homeschool was so that we could actually be home together, spending more time as a family.

More slow mornings.
More family rhythms.
More everyday life together.

Most of the co-ops in our area are drop-off programs for 6+ hours a day, multiple days a week.

And for our family, that kind of feels like an alternative school, which would defeat the purpose.

That doesn’t make it wrong!

I think homeschooling can look SO many different ways — and that’s the beauty of it.

But I am curious if anyone else homeschools primarily at home or if we really are the odd ones out.

What does homeschooling look like for your family? Zero judgment, I’m just curious! 🏠✏️

Happy Birthday to Texas! On this March 2nd, we celebrate Texas Independence Day- commemorating the declaration signed in 1836 that set the Lone Star State on its path to freedom.

March is the perfect month for a Texas Unit Study in your homeschool! Dive into our state's rich history with hands-on activities that bring lessons to life. Best part? Most are easy day trips from Austin or San Antonio, so you can explore without overnight stays. Here are some top picks:

- The Alamo (San Antonio): Visit this iconic mission where Texian defenders made their stand in 1836. Tour the grounds, see artifacts, and learn about the famous battle. Right in downtown SA; about 1.5 hours from Austin.

- Texas State Capitol (Austin): Explore the stunning pink granite building with guided tours of the chambers, rotunda, and grounds. Discuss government and Texas symbols-perfect for civics tie-ins. In the heart of Austin; roughly 1.5 hours from San Antonio.

- Bullock Texas State History Museum (Austin): Immerse in interactive exhibits spanning Native American history to the space age, with special homeschool days featuring hands-on programs. Just minutes from the Capitol; about 1.5 hours from SA.

- Presidio La Bahia (Goliad): Step into a restored 18th-century fort with living history demos and the site of the Goliad Massacre. Great for understanding the Texas Revolution. Around 1.5 hours from SA or 2.5 from Austin-pack a picnic!

Youc an even have a mock "convention" at home to debate independence. What Texas spots are on your unit study list? Share below and let's inspire each other!

A lot of people have asked for a comprehensive preparedness list for the winter storm.

Feel free to bookmark this or share with friends, stay safe out there:

⛽️ Gas up every car (and top off any cans if you’ve got them)
💵 Pull cash — assume card readers go down
🔋 Charge everything: phones, battery packs, laptops, tool batteries
🔌 Make one “charging pile” with all cords so nobody’s hunting
🔦 Headlamp for every adult + flashlight for every kid
🏮 Lanterns for the main rooms (no candles… kids + candles = nope)
🔋 Fresh batteries in a big ziplock — label it

🏠 Pick ONE “warm room” right now (small room, easiest to heat)
🚪 Shut doors to the rest of the house
🧣 Blankets over windows at night + towels at the bottom of doors
🛏️ Drag mattresses/pads in there if you need to
🧤 Lay out clothes like it’s ski season: base layer + hoodie + coat + hat + thick socks
👟 Slippers/shoes indoors — cold floors will wreck you
🧦 Dry clothes only — damp socks = change them immediately

⚠️ Generator = OUTSIDE only (not garage, not “cracked door,” OUTSIDE)
🚨 CO alarms working on every floor, especially near bedrooms
🔌 Use outdoor-rated extension cords only — don’t run cords under rugs
🙅‍♂️ Don’t do any “dryer plug” stuff — not worth dying for
⛽️ Fuel stays OUTSIDE the house

✅ If you’re using a heater: only indoor-rated
🔥 Keep it away from blankets/curtains/kids
🌬️ Crack a window just a tiny bit
😴🚫 Never sleep with a flame heater on

💧 Water: plan 1 gallon per person per day minimum
🪣 Fill bathtub/buckets for flushing/washing
🚱 On a well? Assume ZERO water once power is out
🔧 Find the main water shutoff now (don’t wait)
🚰 When it’s brutally cold: let faucets drip (if water’s still on)
🧊 Open sink cabinets on outside walls
🧣 Wrap exposed pipes / cover outdoor spigots
🧯 Disconnect hoses

🥫 Food: buy 7 days of no-cook / easy stuff
🍞 Stock basics: PB, tuna, crackers, granola, soup, jerky, shelf milk, cereal
🗝️ Manual can opener
🍽️ Paper plates if you don’t want to burn water on dishes
❄️ Fridge/freezer: open it as little as possible
✅ Eat fridge first, then freezer, then pantry

💊 Refill prescriptions
🤒 Kids fever meds + thermometer + first-aid kit
⚡️ CPAP/nebulizer/anything critical: have a power plan
🧼 Baby wipes + sanitizer + trash bags
🪣 No water? Bucket toilet plan (bucket + bags + kitty litter)

🎲 Make a “kid station” in the warm room: books, coloring, cards, board games
🎬 Download movies ahead of time (airplane mode)
🚫 Clear rules: no touching heaters, no cords, no generator zone
🌙🏮 Lantern by hallway/bathroom at night
🧸 One comfort thing per kid in the warm room

📱 Phones: low power mode + dim screen
📝 Write down important numbers on paper
📞 Pick a check-in time with family/friends (morning + evening)

🚗❄️ Don’t drive unless you have to — ice will humble you fast
🧰 Car kit: blanket, flashlight, snacks, water, jumper pack
🚘⚠️ If you run the car for heat: clear the tailpipe and never in an enclosed space

✅ Every morning: quick safety sweep
🚨🔥 CO alarms good, heater clear, cords not hot
🌡️💧 Watch for leaks when things thaw
🤝 Check on neighbors if you can

🗑️ Toss sketchy food when power comes back
⚡️ Bring the house back online slowly (don’t flip everything at once)

You can teach your child how to write with pencils and literally any kind of paper. You can teach them how to count with toys from their toy box. You can teach a child to read a clock just by using the clock on the wall. You can teach them to count money with a pile of coins on the kitchen table. You can teach geography by spending a few minutes a day with a map or a globe. You can teach history with free books from the library, or free documentaries on YouTube. You can teach them so many things about the natural world by just spending time outdoors. You can teach them composition by letting them copy the work of great writers. You can teach them how to think with conversations about everything.

Education isn't complicated or expensive. It doesn't require a teaching certificate. You don't even have to have a curriculum for everything. (Don't come at me; I love curriculum. But I've taught my kids a LOT of things without it.)

If you want your kids out of the public school system, you can do it. Just start. That's really it. Get some pencils and paper, and go to the library. Go in the backyard. Play, read, walk, talk, and be together. You'll be surprised at how much your kids can learn just from YOU.

https://nickitruesdell.com/

[Art: Reading by Edmund Alder (b,1876)]