Interview Feature with…Amy from Rock Your Homeschool

Interview Feature with…is a favorite feature of myself and readers. Designed to encourage busy moms by sharing interviews with homeschoolers that are not only homeschooling but juggling other things as well.

Today I am happy to introduce you to Amy Milcic, blogger at Rock Your Homeschool. She is a mental health therapist turned homeschool soccer mom to 5 boys. It is her passion to help homeschoolers add sparkle to their learning fun. Amy loves to fill her days with coffee, books, and glittery crafts.

Amy has taken time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions for us.

Disclosure: I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Question 1: Please share with us what made you begin the homeschooling adventure with your children?

Our family began homeschooling about 5 ½ years ago. My two older boys had been in public school (up to first and third grades). A combination of factors led to many prayers and the call to homeschooling.

My oldest has a congenital condition (morning glory disc anomaly-optic nerve never fully attached) that caused very limited vision in his right eye.

Fortunately, he has perfect vision in his left eye but suffers from eye and muscle strain which leads to severe migraines. As he progressed through school, smaller print and writing projects became worsened his migraines.

Sadly, his teacher was not cooperative in making the simple accommodations that could have helped. Overall, it was a difficult year with miscommunication and frustration.

I had always wanted to teach my boys at home but promised my husband that we would give our local schools a try. When hubby saw the difficulty our oldest had, he knew it was time to bring our boys home.

Amy shared more about her journey from Public School to Homeschool, Click here to read that! 

Question 2: What is your homeschool guiding principle?

I am all about learning fun! It is my passion to help my boys learn to love learning. I strive to help them follow their interests, as well as think outside the box.

Question 3: How would you describe your homeschooling style?

Relaxed eclectic. I fought this approach. I thought our homeschool had to fit into a prescribed method. I have learned that the best approach is the one that allows me to use the resources that best fit the needs of my boys.

Question 4: What is the hardest homeschooling challenge you have had to overcome?

Writing! I LOVE to write. My boys have not been bitten by the writing bug-yet. We started to use Brave Writer Language Arts & Writing Curriculum and our homeschool writing is blooming.

Question 5: Share a homeschooling win with us that stood out to you?

The biggest homeschool win has been with writing. My 11-year-old (Professor) has been the most difficult to teach homeschool writing. He thrives in other subjects but would literally throw himself on the ground in a fit of moans and groans at the mere mention of the “w” word.

We implemented the Brave Writer freewrites this year. At first, my structured boy who loves checklists was afraid. After a few attempts, he got it!

Professor continued to write past the five-minute mark. He wrote for twenty-five minutes straight-and smiled as he did it!

Question 6: If you could go back and redo something in your homeschooling journey what would it be and why?

I would not have done cyber school for our first year. I would have taken that time to deschool my boys.

Question 7: As a homeschooling mom, how do you find time to fit all the moving parts of homeschooling your children, and your websites into your busy life?

One word-planners! I am a planner girl (co-own Planner Squad) and use multiple planners to help me compartmentalize different areas of my life.

Question 8: What do you wish non-homeschoolers knew about homeschooling?

How much time do you have? I could go on and on. I wish that non-homeschoolers knew that homeschoolers are not lazy. We are often asked, “Well, what do you really do all day?”

Also, homeschoolers are socialized! Gasp! Homeschoolers can hold normal conversations and function in the real world (often better than many non-homeschoolers!).

Question 9: If you could give a piece of advice to a parent who is considering homeschooling, who is also working, what would it be?

Find a planning system that will work for you. You can do this by working on organization and communication with your family.

Question 10: When children that are homeschooled are talking to you, what is the one thing you wish you could tell them?

Learning can be fun when you relax and have the right attitude.

Question 11: You were a mental health therapist for a few years. How did that influence your homeschool, if at all?

I always say that my boys are experts at “feeling” words. My boys have no problem communication how they are feeling about a particular subject or individual.

From a young age, I used descriptive words to help them identify their own feelings, as well as the feeling of others. We would chat about their reactions and what they could to do continue a positive feeling or change a negative feeling. Conflict resolution and assertiveness skills are also important in our homeschool.

My boys are comfortable coming to me and chatting about anything. I work hard to listen to their words, as well as the message within. Kids truly benefit when adults take the time to sit and really tune in.

Question 12: Your website offers so much information for parents, can you tell us what your favorite parts are?

I love our monthly Homeschool Fun Calendars. Our Dr. Seuss Learning Fun is also popular and great for young learners!

For homeschool moms, free printable affirmation cards are wonderful. I use these cards as reminders of self-worth, purpose, and direction.

Get ready to rock your homeschool with Amy! Find her around the web:

Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Rock Your Homeschool Group