Meet 3 Families from Europe

Marylynne of Szczecin, Poland

My husband and I are a military family trying to make the best of a remote assignment and have 4 beautiful children: AJ, JimJam, Lolo, and T-Rex! We also have a Golden named Chloe!

Sarina of England, UK

• Mum - stay-at-home mum
• Dad - artisan cheese maker
• eldest, 25 - sales rep
• middle son, 14 - Minecraft map builder, lover of reading and Star Wars
• youngest, 9 - loves the royal family, Minecraft, stories, and his dog
• Cat Brian, Labrador Louie, and Pug Patty 

Mandy S. of Royston, Hertfordshire

• Mum
• Matthew aka Spirus
• James aka Mimo
• Catherine aka Skippy Too
• Cat Felix

Games, movies, horsing.

How do you Timberdoodle?

Marylynne: I stumbled upon Timberdoodle online through months of eye bleeding research trying to find the best education option for my crew! I’m currently using the K, 1st, and 6th grade kits. My absolute favorite thing about Timberdoodle is the quality of learning resources in one stop! From Math-U-See to the Notgrass history I love how I can open and go without wasting more time on prep! The extras like MadMattr, hands-on logic games, What’s Going on Here? (we do at dinner), and art supplies are loved by all of my children! We dive into math and reading each morning and branch into science or history depending on the day; all the while incorporating those fun things between!

Sarina: First found timberdoodle when my youngest was 5 . We purchased the pre k kit and had a fabulous year . We’ve gone on to purchase k, first and second . The critical thinking from the curriculum is always a big favourite along with the hands on science kits .

Mandy: Yes, history.

Tell us about a typical school day at your house.

Marylynne: We start school around 0800 each morning after breakfast! We do math and reading every morning and mix in science, history, and social studies alternating afternoons! We also schedule art, hands on logic games, gears and puzzles into each week! We eat meals at 0715, 1200, and 1730 each day! Chores are done in several time blocks during transition after breakfast and lunch!

Sarina: No day is the same . We totally go with the flow . Only my youngest uses timberdoodle and some days we can get stuff done in the mornings or some days we play and bake and walk and do formal stuff in the evening . I love that we have no set routine . We make meals from scratch and love creating .

Mandy: Name core subjects. Art and horse riding. Computer gaming.

If we peeked inside your home on a random Wednesday afternoon, what would we see?

Marylynne: Science experiment going on out of the Boom Box! You’d also see our completed work piled on the table for review and Chloe laying on someone’s feet!

Sarina: Homemade cakes , stem games on the floor , books on the sofa , boys on their computers or playing with the dogs .

Mandy: Learning. Gaming.

If you could take your family anywhere you wanted for vacation where would you go?

Sarina: New Zealand

Mandy: Japan. South Korea.

What books have you read over and over?

Sarina: 

• Charlotte's Web
• The Boxcar Children 
• Red Sails to Capri

What dietary challenges does your family face?

Sarina: Gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian. Good cooked meals.

Mandy: We try to eat healthy.

What tips do you have for surviving a hard day?

Sarina: Know that it’s ok to stop and call it a day. Learning will still happen.

Mandy: Just chill.

What’s something your child has done that thrilled your soul?

Sarina: Came to me excited because they want to share something with me that they have loved.

Mandy: Riding, fell off and got back on.

How does your family celebrate birthdays?

Sarina: Quiet meal at home and a walk somewhere nice.

Mandy: Presents, birthday meal.

What have you done recently for the first time?

Sarina: Gone vegan.

Mandy: Lived in another country.