Let’s talk about creating what you need

I’ve learned from other homeschoolers just how wonderful it can be to organize your own activities. Some homeschool parents are very skilled at creating a class or activity they want for their kids. As an introvert, I am quite amazed and envious at their abilities!

Group of homeschoolers outdoors in a park, sitting and standing near picnic tables, listening to a presenter. Sunny, autumn day. — *Homeschoolers at a Fishing class, Houghton’s Pond*

But here’s what you need to know:

So many organizations routinely run school field trips that it’s almost no difference for them if you want to schedule a homeschooler trip. And they often have dedicated staff for you to contact to get the ball rolling.

Probably every recurring homeschool event at an organization was started by a single homeschool parent with a good idea and enough interested people to come along.

I know of parents who started a homeschool gym class at a local YMCA, parents who created an Artful Adventure with unique content, parents who arranged for field trips to the Massachusetts Historical Society, parents who contracted a tutor to lead a group class on Shakespeare, parents who organized a free fishing class through the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife, parents who organized a Model UN club.

We’re probably only limited by our imaginations – and introverted tendencies, lol!

So go out there and create what you need for your homeschool! You can do it!!!!

Have you planned a successful outing or field trip for homeschoolers? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Interlibrary Loan is a Miracle

For almost two years, we lived where it was very difficult to access a public library. You know what happened? I very quickly started hitting up used book stores and homeschooler book swaps, jumped on free book offers, and even bought some books new. When we left that apartment, we had 9 more boxes of books than we moved in with, SMH. Now we can easily access a library again and I’ve bought very few books in the last year, in large part due to interlibary loan!! A priceless civic treasure.

Screen capture of a Minuteman Library Network catalog search highlighting delivery locations for interlibrary loan. The example item in an audio CD of "The Story of the World, Vol. 1" — *Pick your library, borrow a book for free!*

Not only can you get “The Story of the World” books and audio CDs (vol. 1-4), you can get almost all of its recommended readings from Minuteman Library Network or the BPL network. 👍👍😃😃 A book can be in a library in another town or just across town in another branch and you can still get it delivered to a library near you. I am so grateful for this public service!!

TLDR: Interlibrary loan is free and is an absolute treasure for homeschooling!

List of Free admission passes from BPL

Picture of a man's hands holding tickets — *Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com*

Only some museum passes offered through BPL give you free admission. Many give discounted admission, which can really add up for a family of 4. Below is a list of the free admission passes!

Boston Modern Orchestra Project
Lyric Stage Company of Boston
Mary Baker Eddy Library & Mapparium
Massachusetts DCR ParksPass hang tag
Museum of Science, Boston
New England Aquarium
Old South Meeting House
USS Constitution Museum*
American Repertory Theater
Boston By Foot
Dreamland Wax Museum
Edward Kennedy Institute
Harvard Art Museum
Larz Anderson Auto Museum

Please note that not all passes are available at all branches. Some are only available at a single branch. The online pass reservation system has details. Remember that all residents of Massachusetts can get a BPL card!!

* The USS Constitution Museum offers admission by voluntary donation. You don’t need a pass to get free admission and you are free to walk in and not even talk to the front desk, though the volunteers are very nice! But I admit I’ve gotten the pass because I didn’t want to be rude at not paying. OMG introversion is the worst! 🤦🏽‍♀️🙃

Which are your favorite places to go with a BPL museum pass? Comment below!

Speaking of Getting Around on Foot with Kids

Do you have a rolling backpack/bag yet? Get one…or three… right away!

After the kiddos outgrew strollers I suddenly had to carry all our necessities, which was most noticeable when coming home from the library!! Even before we were homeschooling, we checked out SO MANY books at every visit, this was us:

A meme featuring the character Chidi from the NBC show "The Good Place" He is standing between library bookcases, behind a rolling cart full of haphazardly placed books, speaking earnestly to someone out of frame. The text is a quote from the show. "What is the maximum number of books I can check out? Is it 12,000?" he asks. — William Jackson Harper as Chidi from the NBC show “The Good Place”
“What is the maximum number of books I can check out? Is it 12,000?” source: https://twitter.com/osidenylibrary/status/1108686648437551106

The wonderful thing about rolling backpacks is that even little kids can pull a surprisingly heavy load of books. One mom and two kids, each with a bag, is like 50+ books every time!

I don’t recommend getting the cheapest one you can find, this is an item that will get a tremendous amount of wear. We once bought a brand new, cheap rolling bag that immediately got holes in it on the walk from the store to the train! 😒

How do you manage getting books home from the library? How many do you check out on an average library visit? We’d love to hear your tips in the comments 😃

Transportation in the City with Kids in Tow

We’ve lived 5 years in the city without a car using the T daily, and the last couple years with a car.

Benefits of Getting Around by T and Foot

When you walk and take trains and buses everywhere, you really get to see the city and experience life in so many neighborhoods. It’s easier to just take some time in a lovely nook. Have you ever noticed how many play-ready nooks there are around the Federal Reserve Building by South Station? When the kids were younger we would pass the Federal Reserve 1-2 times a month on our way to the Children’s Museum. I have many fond memories of snacks on the lawn, helping my kids walk on the walls along the back sidewalk, and watching both kids run around and play together.

This is the thing I miss most. I hardly ever get to experience the neighborhoods I don’t live in. Whenever we go places in the car, I have to consider parking and how much it will cost, so we typically go somewhere, do our thing, and leave. We do have a T station within a mile walk from us, but I’m reluctant to spend $5, when I already have to pay for gas, parking, and car maintenance.

On the other hand, we do get out of the city a lot more often and are able to get into nature more easily. Grocery shopping by car is like a miracle – every time – after 5 years of grocery shopping by foot or bus. But both of these things mean we meet fewer people in our neighborhood.

Walking and T-ing have another major benefit: CARDIO!! When we first got to the city I thought I only needed a stroller for my toddler, but we then realized our pre-schooler needed help getting around too. I then had a stroller plus boogie board, pushing two kids, diaper bag, food for three, etc, etc, etc….I know most of you know exactly what I’m talking about! Anyway, I pushed that thing around for 3 years, getting it on and off busses, carrying it up and down stairs. It was for sure a schlep, but I got in pretty good shape just from taking the kids everywhere for fun and errands.

My stamina has suffered greatly since we became a driving family!

Lastly, fixed transportation costs are amazing!! Having a new-to-us car (i.e. used) has meant way more car repair, usually unexpected, than we can honestly afford. I worry about the money and the state of the car constantly.

How do you get around the city? Any tips for BBHS moms? Have you found lovely nooks, that you wouldn’t have found if you were driving? Please share in a comment below!

Work in Progress List

My plans for what to include in this blog.

Local Library programs plus links

Local Parks & Rec Department programs plus links

Tips for using the T with kids

Advice on finding your people

Discussion of Second Choice Homeschooling

Getting discounted admissions

Frugal living in Boston

Events ideal for homeschoolers

Calendar of recurring and drop-in events

What to expect from BBHS

Castle Island buried treasure, a carved granite corinthian capital, worn down by sand and sea, placed with other granite fill at an unknown time in the past.

Treasures if you know where to look

This blog will share with you everything useful that I can find to help you have a full homeschooling experience while surviving here in Boston and Greater Boston.

Low-cost events, both homeschooling and general educational and community events
Homeschool specific resources found in Greater Boston
A way to connect with other Broke Homeschoolers
Encouragement and Validation
My experience which you may be able to take as good advice, inspiration, or as a cautionary tale!

What’s all this, then?

Why Broke Boston Homeschooling?

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.

Do you ever read optimistic homeschooling advice that tells you to go out and join groups, meet other homeschoolers at park days and homeschool events at local institutions? Do you find that those events and park days are often out of reach because of distance from public transportation, or the cost?

Do you hear about other people belonging to homeschool coops but you can’t find one you can afford, and/or get to?

Do you read advice that reassures you’ll find your tribe? Are you a second choice homeschooler and your reasons for homeschooling don’t fit with typical “tribes?”

When you talk with local homeschoolers, do you ever feel like the others just don’t understand your challenges or what it means to live in Greater Boston with relatively limited resources?

If you identify with a lot of this, then stick around, this blog is for you and me!