Midwest Mimi

  • The Legacy of Reading: How Books Build Connection and Resilience for Kids and Adults

    I grew up surrounded by books. Both of my parents were avid readers, and the legacy of their love of reading shaped who I am and how I see the world to this day. My mom, Elaine, was both our homeschool teacher and our church’s librarian. She chose a literature-based curriculum that placed stories at…

  • From Public School to Homeschool: Protecting My Children After Systemic Failure

    Why We Left Public School Our homeschooling journey didn’t begin with picture-perfect lesson plans or a carefully chosen curriculum. It began with heartbreak and with the simple truth that protecting our kids was nonnegotiable. I was homeschooled myself and loved the experience, but I made a different choice for my own family. I valued the…

  • The Real Heart of Midwest Mimi

    This blog started as a place for accessible nature reviews and homeschooling resources. But it’s become something bigger: a story about resilience, family, and belonging, with nature, books, and art still at the heart. From Accessible Nature and Homeschooling to Something Bigger When I first started Midwest Mimi, my focus was clear. I wanted to…

  • Family Adventures on a Budget: Free Museums, Library Passes, and Hidden Discounts (Part 2)

    In Part One, I shared how parks and nature are some of the best places for budget-friendly family adventures. Camping, hiking, swimming, and exploring caves can fill your weekends without draining your wallet. But affordable adventures don’t just stop at the park gates. Especially if you’re traveling outside your local area, you might find museums,…

  • Family Adventures on a Budget: Affordable Ways to Make Memories Outdoors (Part 1)

    I don’t know about you, but my family operates on a shoestring budget. We have what we need, but there isn’t always a lot left over for extras. With a little creativity and planning, though, it’s still possible to have some amazing family adventures. As a disabled mom, my family of five survives on Social…

  • How a Four-Day School Week Makes Homeschooling with Chronic Illness Possible

    Some days, parenting while living with chronic illness feels like climbing uphill with no end in sight. The body aches, the migraine fog, the nausea all show up uninvited, but parenting does not stop when my energy does. And because I homeschool my kids, teaching does not stop either. But over the last two years,…

  • Story Stones: A Simple Nature Craft That Sparks Creativity in Kids

    Let me paint you a picture: it’s 10:32 a.m. on a rainy Tuesday, and I’ve already heard the words “I’m bored” four times. Before lunch. (Send help.) Enter: Story Stones. Smooth little rocks decorated with tiny pictures that turn into the ultimate boredom-busting, imagination-sparking, sibling-distraction tool. They’re cheap, easy to make, and surprisingly magical. In…

  • 6 Ways Nature Works as a Reset Button for Sibling Rivalry (and One Way it Benefits Parents, Too)

    “Mimi,” Channing’s complaining tone rang out, “Raeleigh yelled at me.” “I only yelled because he was being annoying!” Raeleigh chimed in from the other room. It wasn’t even 10 a.m., and we’d already had multiple variations of this same argument at least three times. Clearly, it was time for a reset. Sibling squabbles like this…

  • When Kids Complain on Outdoor Adventures: How to Handle Whining Without Losing the Magic

    Five minutes into an outdoor adventure and someone’s already saying, “My legs hurt.” Sound familiar? If you’ve taken kids out into nature, chances are you’ve heard it too. Nothing takes the shine off a long-anticipated family outing like whining before you’ve even settled in. But here’s the thing: complaints are part of the journey, and…

  • Supporting Your Child’s Creativity Means Letting Them Dress Themselves

    When Raeleigh was little, I thought I was the one choosing her clothes. Picking out tops and bottoms that matched, adding bows, and making sure everything looked “put together.” But even then, she had opinions. She’d reach for patterns that clashed in my eyes but sparkled in hers. She wanted the necklace, the sunglasses, AND…

  • Homeschooling in Nature’s Classroom

    Introduction: Learning Beyond the Books When people picture homeschooling, they often imagine stacks of workbooks and long kitchen tables covered in flashcards. In our house, the classroom looks a little different: it’s the trail where my son pauses to listen for bird calls, the lake where my daughter learns patience with a fishing pole, and…

  • How to Homeschool on a Budget: Making the Most of What You Have

    Homeschooling can feel intimidating when you start looking at the price tags on full boxed curriculums, endless supply lists, and glossy catalogs promising the “perfect” education. The truth is, you don’t need to spend a fortune to give your kids a meaningful education at home. In fact, some of the richest learning happens with free…

  • The Difference Between Canceling and Choosing Rest

    When you live with chronic illness, disability, or even just the daily realities of parenting, plans don’t always unfold the way you imagine. Sometimes, life forces you to cancel. Other times, you make the choice to rest. On the surface they can look the same: you’re not showing up. But the meaning and the weight…

  • What My Toddler Taught Me About Slowing Down in Nature

    When my toddler and I head outside, it’s rarely about covering ground. We’re not hiking trails or racking up miles. For us, it’s usually the walk to the beach, wandering through a grassy field, or time spent playing at the park. These little adventures are where I’ve learned the most about slowing down. Toddlers Notice…

  • Accessibility Wins

    Why Accessibility Lives in the Details When people think about accessibility, they often picture big-ticket items—expensive ramps, automatic doors, or large construction projects that take forever to complete. And while those things absolutely matter, accessibility in parks often comes down to the little things. Small details most people never notice, but that can make or…