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BLACK CULTURE, HOMESCHOOLING, TRAVEL (AND OTHER THINGS FROM MY SWEET, IMPERFECT LIFE)

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I’m Amber

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My name is Amber O’Neal Johnston, and I started this website to document and discuss the joys and trials of raising my kids to love themselves and others.

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The Latest Posts

Worldschooling in London

Travel

Before heading to Accra, Ghana to settle in for an extended stay, we decided to detour to Europe for a little worldschooling in London. The city is...

Picture Books About Refugees, Aslyum-Seekers, and Migrants

Books

As part of my lesson plan research, I ran across several children’s books highlighting stories of people who are refugees, asylum-seekers, and...

Our Commitment to Worldschooling

Homeschool, Travel

Some of the most efficient and fulfilling ways to raise global citizens are humbly exposing children to meaningful world travel and teaching them to...

Handicrafts: Ideas for Homeschooling

Homeschool

Handicrafts, or handcrafts, are practical or decorative objects made by hand. Often pursued today simply for personal enjoyment, many handicrafts...

Worldschooling Packing List

Travel

I shared our Ultimate Packing List for International Travel With Kids five years ago before heading out for our first Worldschooling trip. We still...

Reading Traumatic Stories

Books, Race

My family likes to purchase bookish gifts for our fellow bookworm friends, and sometimes my kids want to snag a little swag for themselves as well....

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Sign up now and receive my newly expanded Family Bonds book list, a curated collection of stories tied together with the common cord of familial bonds. You’ll also receive occasional emails featuring my latest thoughts, book recommendations, and diverse educational goodies.

An Atmosphere of Learning Bundle

Homeschool

I’ve teamed up with some amazing creators to provide this curated bundle of Charlotte Mason resources JUST FOR YOU!⁣⁣⁣ The Atmosphere of Learning...

Video: Pros & Cons of Classic Books

Books, Homeschool, Podcasts & Videos

Last week, I had the chance to chat with my new friend Katie Chancellor from Learning Through Literature, and it was so fun! We discussed the pros...

Yes, Even Shakespeare Can Be a Mirror

Homeschool, Race

I'm the first to admit that Shakespeare was not something I was dying to teach my children. I remembered reading some of it in high school, and I...

A Bouquet of Brown: African American Picture Books With Kids Just Being Kids

Books, Homeschool, Race

When selecting titles for our bookshelves, I search trusted lists, read reviews, and listen to the recommendations of friends – both old and new....

Heritage Packs: Adding Color to Your Curriculum

Books, Homeschool, Race

It's no secret that most homeschool curricula is lacking in...well...color. There is certainly room for many lesson plan providers to grow in that...

Chapter Books: Black Boys Having Fun

Books, Homeschool, Race

Because I was a girl mom first, my boys inherited shelves full of chapter books featuring black girls. I took care to add picture books featuring...

Book Review: Tobe by Stella Gentry Sharpe

Books, Homeschool, Podcasts & Videos

If you follow me on Instagram, you recently saw a photo of my son sleeping with a book in his arms. Maybe that's a common occurrence in your home,...

Charlotte Mason and Your Heritage

Homeschool, Podcasts & Videos, Race

There is a reason that my blog is called Heritage Mom. When I first started writing in this space, I was just coming out of a period of confusion. I...

Why Are Homeschooled Kids Weird?

Homeschool

"I've thought about homeschooling, but I don't want my kids to be weird." <<< I think this is such a funny thing for people to say to me...

Mirrors & Windows: When Living Books Are Not Enough (Video)

Books, Homeschool, Podcasts & Videos, Race

A mirror is a story that reflects your own culture and helps build your identity. A window is a resource that offers you a view into someone else’s...