When I set out to write Mama Bear Survival — Raising Strong Families in an Uncertain World, I knew it had to go beyond emergency kits and food storage.

So in the book, I dedicate an entire section to topics like homesteading, hunting, traditional skills, and even homeschooling as a form of self-reliance. Even if you don’t homeschool full-time (we don’t), I believe every parent should be equipped to step into that role if needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Christian families, it’s not just about preparedness– it’s a response to a biblical call. Scripture instructs us to train up our children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6) and to take full ownership of their upbringing—including their education. That doesn’t necessarily mean pulling them out of school or teaching full-time at home, but it does mean being actively involved in shaping their worldview and protecting their minds and hearts.

We’ve all seen how fragile—and even harmful—the modern education system can be—from failing academic standards to outright indoctrination. More families are waking up to this reality and reclaiming their God-given role as the primary educators of their children.

While we don’t homeschool full-time (our older girls attend a Christian school we love and it works for us in this season), I do homeschool my younger ones using My Father’s World Preschool, and we’ve recently added Five in a Row to our days (read on to learn more about it!).

Here’s something I really haven’t heard anyone talk about: Homeschooling doesn’t have to be all or nothing!

Even though we don’t homeschool full-time, I keep age-appropriate curriculum on hand so we’re ready if the opportunity or need ever arises. I often buy used and resell later, and I keep it simple. 

Nobody really talks about this, but you don’t have to homeschool full-time to experience the beauty of homeschooling and learning together!

It can be as easy as weaving in meaningful activities, reading great books together, and learning side-by-side at home. Here are some suggestions if you’re like me, a working mom who doesn’t homeschool full-time but still loves learning alongside her children!

Here’s a look at how you can incorporate a homeschool mindset, even if you don’t do it full time. Specifically, this blog shares all about a flexible, literature-based curriculum called Five in a Row.  (Affiliate links included—I only recommend what I use and love). 

 

What is Five in a Row?

Five in a Row (also referred to as “FIAR” in homeschool circles), is a Charlotte Mason-influenced literature-based curriculum that uses living books—rich, engaging stories that are beautifully written and designed to spark imagination and curiosity. These aren’t your typical educational books. Living books pull your child into the story, creating a natural desire to learn more.

With FIAR, you read the same high-quality picture book each day for five days. Then you follow where the “rabbit trails” lead—diving deeper into different learning areas like geography, science, art, history, or Bible, all inspired by themes in the story. It’s simple, yet incredibly rich.

You can purchase the Five in a Row guides for each level on Amazon or the FIAR website, which give you lesson ideas, conversation starters, and activities. Currently, I’m working through Before Five in a Row with my littles (ages almost 4 and 2), and we’re starting Volume 4 with my older girls. If you love reading with your kids, this will just help you cover some great classics with corresponding learning activities. I plan to use it even more intentionally this summer as a way to keep our days purposeful and joyful. There is also a Bible supplement for the first four editions you can purchase separately. Garage sales and marketplace are a great place to look for all the books that go with each volume. There’s also a great reseller group on Facebook.

Do You Have to Homeschool to Use This?

Not at all!

We don’t full-time homeschool right now. I use My Father’s World Preschool curriculum at home with my younger two, and we recently added Five in a Row for more literature-rich learning.

As I share in my Mama Bear Survival book, it’s smart to be prepared to homeschool if you ever needed. That doesn’t mean you’re planning for a pandemic—but life happens. A child may need to be pulled from school for a season, or your family’s situation could change. I like to have a level-appropriate curriculum on hand at all times so I’m not scrambling if we need to shift gears. (Bonus: I often buy curriculum used and resell it for close to what I paid—it’s a low-risk investment.) 

Five in a Row offers so much flexibility. You can use it as a full homeschool curriculum—or simply as a guide to bring more structure and beauty into your reading time. It helps me stay consistent and gives my kids something to look forward to every day.

Tips for Getting Started

1. Plan your books by season.
This is of course optional—but so fun! Go through the booklist and loosely map out the stories you want to read by month or season. It’s sweet to read The Snowy Day in January or Jenny’s Surprise Summer in July. Runaway Bunny feels perfect around Easter.

2. Download my handy visual book list.

Many of the Five in a Row titles are out of print or hard to come by. I found it impossible to remember all the titles and authors while out thrifting or browsing library sales—so I made a visual book list you can save to your phone or print out for easy reference.

Just click & save! >>>> BEFORE FIVE IN A ROW- VISUAL BOOKLIST DOWNLOAD

It’s saved me so much time & money. Not to mention, finding one of these rare literary gems for just a couple of bucks is an absolute thrill! (Yes, this is officially the stage of life I’m in—getting excited over used children’s books, and I’m not the slightest mad about it!).

3. Join the Facebook community.
There are fantastic Five in a Row Facebook groups with incredibly helpful files—think spreadsheets, seasonal planning charts, crossover book guides, and more. I’ve learned so much from the community of moms there. 

4. Don’t stress if you don’t follow the “plan” perfectly.
Life with littles is full and unpredictable. If you read the book twice instead of five times—great. If your rabbit trail ends with a quick coloring page instead of a full unit study—still a win. The goal is to share meaningful stories and create space for connection and curiosity.

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If you’re curious to see the book lists or guides for each level, here are some helpful links:

• Five in a Row – Amazon Book lists
• Download the handy visual guide above…
• And just get started!

PS- Interested in topics on self-reliance, preparedness and resilience in motherhood? Grab the Mama Bear Survival Book, out now, shipping in time for Mother’s Day!