Episode 158: Homeschooling in the Gap with Kezia McNab
What You’ll Learn
In this episode we have Kezia…she's a follower of Jesus, wife to Ashton, and a mother to 4 children! Together, they’re all pursuing a life of adventure!
They're currently living in an RV and homeschooling as simply as possible as they build their home, develop their land, and enjoy slower days being together.
The McNab Story (01:30)
Kezia has 4 little ones, they all have summer birthdays…so they are 2.5, 5, 7, and 9. She’s been married to her husband for 13 years.
They actually met in northern Pakistan, they were both working with an organization there. He was building schools, and she was working in a school. They met on a trek to the 9th highest mountain in the world (Nanga Parbat), stayed in touch, and got married a few years later.
Kezia knew they wouldn’t have a cookie-cutter life right away, she KNEW it would be an adventure!
The McNab Homeschool (03:00)
Kezia has been homeschooling the two boys since the beginning (they’ll be in 2nd and 4th grade) and then the 5-year-old has been asking to start school for 2 years, so she’ll start kindergarten this year. Even the youngest kids have been sitting around the same table the WHOLE time!
Kezia was a kindergarten teacher in Hawaii (with a class of 7), and she LOVED teaching kids how to read…and she wanted to teach her OWN kids! Kezia wanted to be with her kids, answering their life questions, and the family wanted a life of togetherness. Her husband was homeschooled too…so that helped.
Family Finance (05:35)
Living and homeschooling in an RV has only been life for a few months so far. Kezia’s husband has two companies, which she supports by doing the bookkeeping and other things.
She also still works part-time for the organization in Pakistan (her director and his wife are very understanding).
Homeschooling in an RV (06:25)
The family had an adorable little camper named Rosie they renovated and visited friends with. They then sold Rosie and live on the land they purchased in an RV until construction is complete on their home. The kids have a bunk room, and Kezia and her husband have a bedroom.
The hope is to be in the house by Christmas, but construction is a process.
The family was in a really small house before moving to the RV, so it was cool for Kezia to look at all the resources they’d built up and consider what they used daily.
In the RV, the family enjoys reading time in their beds, and school time is done at the dining table. Storage was initially a concern, but the bench at the dining table fits all the manipulatives, letter boards, and clipboards. Then the books go into the cabinets above the TV.
Most of the homeschooling happens in the morning. The family keeps a regular rhythm because both parents work. Mornings are protected, and school is done by noon. The kids have quiet time, Kezia does work, there’s outside play time, and the family will do errands and have play dates with friends.
Daily Routines (11:00)
In the mornings, the kids all get up by 7 for breakfast! Then they do chores, have a little playtime, and do school from 9-12. Kezia tries to sneak out and have coffee and quiet time before the kids get up, but her coffee maker is quite loud, but she does hold tightly to the time.
Lunch is one really big anchor in the day for the family. After that, reading and rest time so Kezia can work.
Then…afternoons all look different. They include meeting with friends, running errands, and a few more chores.
Curriculum (13:40)
The McNab family generally follows Ambleside Online…using their suggestions and then adding in some other Charlotte Mason selections from other moms. She’s also found math and reading curriculums that work well for most of her kids.
Kezia loves the Charlotte Mason philosophy (which is what led her to Ambleside). The stories just come alive for the kids, and the things they remember…
The other day, Kezia’s son was doing a crossword puzzle and brought up something he remembered from the 50 Famous Stories book they’d read.
Because Kezia’s family has a core value of togetherness, this curriculum is something that allows them to learn together as a family fits SO well. The stories draw them all together, with characters that become friends.
The challenging part of Ambleside for Kezia is how some of the reading choices are a bit too hard for her most tender hearted children (this just requires a bit more engagement, and a knowing that the book and reading lists aren’t law, they are a suggestion).
Incorporating Faith (17:30)
As a family, homeschool morning time begins with a bible. Last year, they read The Biggest Story Bible (with memory cards), and they did a little in Theology book.
They begin the day by praying together and doing the verses, and they have a little corkboard on the wall where they put prayer requests and as they’re answered, they go in a jar.
One component that feels personal to Kezia is how the family incorporates nature study into their homeschool. She experiences God so much in nature…His creativity, His intentionality, His detail, His care…all these things she loves so much about God.
Kezia’s son found a Blue Cukoo Wasp the other day (that she didn’t even know existed), and it’s turquoise and royal blue…God didn’t have to do that. He did that because He’s creative, and fun, and to catch your eye.
Fear & Flex (19:55)
One thing that was hard for Kezia this past school year is the reality that when you have less kids, there’s more time. Now, with older kids who need more and younger kids who also need mom…she hasn’t had the time to do the things with the younger kids she did with the first two.
She’s learning to trust God’s plan for their family. But as the family grows and has more children, it’s kinda crazy, and Kezia does get flustered occasionally, and she feels the weight of guilt at the end of the day (especially after those HARD days).
Sidenote…Brittany & I think this is something EVERY momma feels. This work is beautiful, but it is HARD.
Kezia’s biggest flex right now is the family’s reading together. They have nailed it! (There are lots of interruptions…but that’s ok!). They soak in and marinate in the stories, and this can mean that they don’t get to reading and math instruction…but that’s OK!
Out With the Old, In With the New (25:10)
It’s very fresh, but Kezia decided to step down from running a Wild + Free group this year. To do their new life well, they had to decide to say goodbye to that group. It brought so much to their homeschool, but she’s hoping they’ll find community in their new town.
The family said ‘yes’ to the discomfort of gaining this life (with the land and the house they wanted). Sometimes choosing the uncomfortable things can bring more fruit (even if—initially—it is quite uncomfortable).
Planning (27:55)
Kezia generally plans on a weekly basis, she’ll sit down on a Sunday afternoon with some coffee and see what the plan is for the week.
Each year, in May or June, she’ll do planning for the next year (look for all her books, shop the sales…). They’ll take a break in July, and then as the heat hits in August they get ready to start again!
Advice for a New Homeschool Mom (29:20)
You are the mom of your kids for a reason…trust your gut…the Holy Spirit in you. Trust the process, you are the mom, and you get to make the decisions and you have the intuition and the guts to make decisions.
Know your children, look them in the eyes, be able to hear from God for yourself what your family needs. Be intentional about that, protect your time, and protect the culture you’re trying to build in your homeschool.
A's to Our Q's (30:20)
The most impactful resource on Kezia’s journey so far was when she read “Last Child in the Woods” and that’s when she decided to raise her children outdoors. Then, in the early years, Wild + Free still had their podcast, and it was a rich source of wisdom and was very formative.
One thing that makes Kezia’s homeschool special is the intentionality of everything they do. She’s always trying to ask, “Does this fit our family and how we want to raise these kids?”
The family has the Instant Pot Ninja Foodie and while Kezia was apprehensive at first, she uses it many nights a week now! They’re usually throwing in some ground elk and any number of other ingredients!
Kezia sets herself up for success by using her planner (immediately after the school day, before she begins to work), using an erasable pen, and moving stuff over to the next day. Each morning, she’ll look over her recap from the previous day and make sure it’s realistic. She also uses Sundays for weekly planning.
The thing that Kezia is enjoying teaching the MOST right now is reading! She has another emerging reader, and she’s excited to use Dash Into Learning again with her next child!
More from the McNab Family (37:05)
If you’d like to see how Kezia’s family is doing, check out her Instagram @Keziamonet
Sweet mommas, we always want you to remember…
You are doing beautiful work!
