I’m so glad you’re here
Happy Hive Homeschooling was created to help families build a homeschool experience that feels both meaningful and manageable.
Inside the Hive you’ll find:
• Encouragement for the days when homeschooling feels hard
• Ideas that spark curiosity and deeper learning
• Resources built around the holiday of the day
• Gentle reminders that you’re doing better than you think
Most of all, I want homeschool moms to feel like they have a place where they belong.
A place where they can ask questions.
A place where they can breathe.
A place where someone understands the journey they’re on.
About Christy
Hi, I’m Christy, though many people in the homeschool world know me as Mrs. Crabtree or the Queen Bee of Happy Hive Homeschooling.
I’m a former classroom teacher, longtime homeschool mom, and lifelong learner living in California with my husband and our two furry assistants, Percy and Penny. My three kids, who I’ve always called my “bugs,” are now grown, but the years we spent learning together at home still shape everything I do today.
Happy Hive Homeschooling grew from one simple belief:
Learning doesn’t only happen in textbooks or classrooms.
Learning is happening all around us, every single day.
Once you begin to see it, homeschooling becomes a lot more joyful. I promise you, homeschooling doesn’t have to look perfect to be meaningful
Why I Chose to Homeschool
My decision to homeschool was fueled by something many parents understand very well.
Fear.
I didn’t want to send my children away for most of their day while strangers spent more time with them than I did. When I thought back to my own schooling, there were only a handful of teachers who truly made a lasting impact.
Wonderful teachers absolutely exist. But I realized something important. Over the course of thirteen years in school, a child might only experience two or three truly extraordinary teachers.
I wanted my children to have one every year. So I became that teacher.
And while that decision may sound bold, the truth is I was also terrified. Like most homeschool moms, I was constantly asking myself if I was doing enough or doing it right.
Those questions are exactly why Happy Hive Homeschooling exists today.
From “School at Home” to Curiosity-Led Learning
Because I was a classroom teacher, our early homeschool years looked a lot like school at home.
Lesson plans.
Workbooks.
Structured subjects.
And honestly, that approach can work beautifully for many families. There truly is no wrong way to homeschool.
But over time, I noticed something interesting.
When learning was connected to something my kids cared about, everything changed.
Their engagement went up.
The quality of their work improved.
And most importantly, they were happier.
At first, the sparks came from typical childhood interests like dinosaurs and pirates.
Then one small moment shifted everything.
The Christmas Tree That Changed Our Homeschool
In 2010 my kids asked a question I almost said no to.
They wanted to keep the Christmas tree up.
At first it felt like one more thing to manage, but then I realized something important.
They weren’t trying to avoid cleaning up the holidays.
They wanted to keep celebrating.
They loved decorating. They loved themed crafts and treats.
They loved having something special to look forward to each day.
So I said yes.
That leftover Christmas tree in the corner of our homeschool room became the beginning of something wonderful.
Each month, the kids redecorated it for the next holiday.
That curiosity led me down a rabbit trail of research where I discovered something fascinating.
There are hundreds of holidays to celebrate every year.
Serious ones. Silly ones. Historical ones.
Completely wacky ones.
So we tried something new.
We began celebrating the holiday of the day and building our learning around it. Sometimes the holiday led to a deep dive into history or science. Other times, it simply gave us a fun afternoon together.
That year taught me something I’ve never forgotten.
Interest-led learning doesn’t always start with a passion.
Sometimes it starts with variety.
When children are exposed to many different experiences, curiosity naturally begins to grow. Curiosity is where real learning begins.
What I Believe About Homeschooling
Our homeschool journey began in 2006 and continued all the way until my youngest graduated in 2021.
Along the way, I homeschooled while also returning to classroom teaching for several years, working with students in grades K through 8, most often in the middle grades.
Today, my three former “bugs” are grown adults who still love learning. All three have spent time in college, one earning a degree in psychology. They each have careers they enjoy, participate in their communities, and are constantly sharing new things they’re learning about their work and interests.
Watching them navigate the world reminds me of something important. Homeschooling isn’t just about memorizing information.
It’s about learning how to learn.
There is no wrong way to homeschool.
Every family is different and the best approach is the one that works for your children.
Everything is learning.
The conversations, the projects, the questions, the everyday moments all count.
Every day is a school day.
Learning doesn’t stop at 3:00 in the afternoon.
And perhaps most importantly…
Families deserve the freedom to choose the educational path that fits them best.
Homeschooling is one wonderful option, but our world needs many different forms of education working together to support children.
Why Happy Hive Homeschool Exists
Happy Hive Homeschooling was created to help families build a homeschool experience that feels both meaningful and manageable.
Inside the Hive you’ll find:
• Encouragement for the days when homeschooling feels hard
• Ideas that spark curiosity and deeper learning
• Resources built around the holiday of the day
• Gentle reminders that you’re doing better than you think
Most of all, I want homeschool moms to feel like they have a place where they belong.
A place where they can ask questions.
A place where they can breathe.
A place where someone understands the journey they’re on.
homeschool mom
From 2006 – 2021
Homeschooled my three children from kindergarten through graduation as well as children enrolled in my micro school
classroom teacher
Grades K-8
19 years in Private and Public schools as teacher and 6 years in administration
CFO – chief fun officer
Implementing the Holiday of the Day Homeschool Approach and the S.P.A.R.K Framework
core beliefs
There’s no wrong way to homeschool
Every day is a school day
Everything is learning
Start Buzzing Around the Hive?
If you’re new here, here are a few great places to begin exploring.
Discover your child’s curiosity style and how to support their learning.
See how everyday holidays can spark meaningful learning experiences.
Find practical ideas and encouragement for your homeschool journey.
Or if you’d like daily encouragement and ideas delivered right to your inbox, you can join my email list where I share a daily buzz of homeschool inspiration and support.
Because homeschooling may not always be easy…
But with curiosity, creativity, and a little encouragement from the Hive, it can be one of the most meaningful adventures your family ever takes.
