Why I Love the Crew (And Why You Will Too!)

As you know, I've been a member of the 2015 Schoolhouse Review Crew and it has been a wonderful journey for me in so many ways.  I wanted to take a few moments to share with you what a wonderful blessing the crew has been for me and encourage you to consider applying yourself.

 If you're like me, you've probably read many of the reviews the Crew posts on various curriculum. There have been many times I'm googling a particular curriculum for information before putting my hard earned money down on it and I end up on a crew member's review. Prior to being on the crew, I never knew how people got the opportunity to do reviews on curriculum but I couldn't help but be a bit envious. I mean, come on, they get free curriculum to try, many times curriculum that I was spending big bucks on.

Back in October of last year, I happened across a posting on one of the Facebook groups for Homeschooling moms stating that the Review Crew was accepting applications for bloggers. I had only had my blog for a short period of time and honestly, didn't think I would ever get chosen. I almost didn't fill out the application as I was afraid of rejection but it was pressed on my heart to go ahead and try. If you're like me and are on the fence about it, the one piece of advice I can give you is this - it's GUARANTEED you will not get selected for the crew if you never fill out the application. I did fill it out and was pretty sure I would never hear anything back from it so imagine my surprise when a short time later I received an email from Kate Kessler from the Old Schoolhouse Magazine saying they were interested in me.  The squeal in my house was probably eardrum shattering.

Since that day, my life has been wonderfully blessed from being a member of the crew.  Prior to, I was wandering around aimlessly in the world of Homeschooling, unsure of what I was doing and what curriculum would be best for my children.  Through the Crew I have had the opportunities to review wonderful products that on a military family budget just wasn't in the cards for us, such as IEW and Horizons.  I've also been introduced to other products that I never knew existed but turned out to be great additions to our homeschooling.

Yet, while the products are wonderful and are of course the biggest draw to being a member of the Review Crew, there's so many more blessings.

The Schoolhouse Review Crew consists of over 200 homeschooling families much like yourself. (We even have a homeschooling father - so if you're of the male gender, don't let that stop you from considering applying!!) They come from all walks of life, with different beliefs, teaching styles and various aged children. Some have very large families (10 or more) and some are teaching their only child.   Yet, we all come together as a family - a family who is extremely supportive of your homeschooling ventures and who want to see you succeed.

You have over 200 members who are there to offer you advice or support when you are struggling with issues at home, members who will pray for you when you need it, or who want to celebrate with you when your children accomplish learning their ABC's or Multiplication tables.

For me, this has been one of the greatest benefits, especially as a SAHM on a pretty isolated military base with a Special Needs child. There are days I feel completely isolated, only having two ankle bitters at home and no adult interaction. I might want to pull my hair out, lock myself in my bedroom, hide under the covers and have a good cry. Instead, I find myself connecting with my crew friends, sharing a laugh with them while I drink my coffee or reading how they used a curriculum that we are reviewing in a way that I didn't consider. I've developed friendships with some very wonderful people.

And guess what?? There's room for you in our little family too.

If you have a homeschooling blog, I urge you to take the chance of filling out the application and joining our Crew.  Come for the free curriculum - but I guarentee - you'll stay for the bonds you'll develop with your Crew Family.  Just click the picture below and join the Crew :)