Sallie Schaaf Borrink

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Welcome! I’m Sallie Schaaf Borrink.

For over twenty years, I’ve written about the quiet life of following Jesus Christ while building a life of meaning, sovereignty, and faith outside the world’s templates.

If you feel the pressure to conform to systems that don’t serve you, sacrifice your peace on the altar of busyness, or outsource your thinking to institutions, then you are in the right place.

And I assure you, you are not alone.

My husband, daughter, and I have spent two decades deliberately choosing a different way: a life of deep faith, purposeful work, and independent thinking. We chose self-employment, homeschooling, and simple living not as a retreat from the world, but as a deliberate building upon a firmer foundation.

My online home is a place of encouragement and vision for those who want to build something that lasts.

You will find thoughtful commentary on culture, practical wisdom drawn from our experiences, and encouragement for choosing the harder path of thinking for yourself. This is not about adding more to your plate. It is about curating your life around what is true, beautiful, and eternal.

After receiving a B.A. in Elementary Education from the Honors College of Michigan State University and spending over three decades teaching both in the classroom and at home, I am especially passionate about the profound importance of educational choices, especially for gifted and twice-exceptional learners. While I write about many topics, the education of children is near and dear to my heart.

Thank you for being here. It is a privilege to share my online home with you.

— Sallie

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I am new to your blog and was curious how old or what level Caroline is. I have an only child, as well, who sounds a lot like Caroline in learning style and temperament. My girl is three, but very interested in school on her own time and with lots of variety. Her best time of day is evening for focusing on school. We are mastering basic skills and accomplish parent-directed play which we call “school”, but she begs for more school. I am always trying to prepare for the future. Your blog sounds like only a few years ahead?!

  2. LeAnn,

    Thank you for your comment. Caroline will be seven in late September. She is technically in second grade although she is far beyond that in some areas and not up to that in others (like most children).

    I’m pretty much an advocate of lots of free play while children are little. We did give Caroline lots of learning things to play with and lots of books, but I did very little direct instruction with her (even last year). We started letting her play on the computer when she was in kindergarten and we were really selective about the DVDs we let her watch. We don’t watch TV and we didn’t let her watch DVDs until she was almost two. We read multiple books to her every day starting around six months. And we talk a lot. I think reading aloud, lots of adult conversation with her (not talking down to her, ever), and giving her many interesting things to play with has served her well.

    If you look through the archives here, you’ll find some posts about preschool and kindergarten. But not a lot because we were so open ended there wasn’t a lot to “report” on and because I try to protect her privacy as much as possible. 🙂

  3. My first-graders loved your Pilgrim Sentence Scramble. I divided them into groups and had them help each other to figure out the order. It’s now part of my Thanksgiving Unit.

  4. I found your blog site while looking for such as you say…restful places online for women. I am a young 66 yrs. old, married to a retired businessman, two grown children with families, and a Christian believer, definitely in need of respite from things like facebook, and all the busyness of the world…even on the web. Most websites for women are way too hyped up and all I do is feel stressed, falsely guilty, and obligated when I visit most of them. So far I have found several of your articles to be restful and something I can relate to even at this point in my life.
    I’m finding a desperate need to narrow down my priorities as I age, as it feels as if my life here on earth is passing by too quickly. I’m finding I don’t want to waste any time on things, and the many of the demands of others, that seem so trivial to me now. I look forward, hopefully, to reading more of your restful writings and beautiful photos. Thank you.

    • Hi Sandy!

      I’m so pleased your found your way here. And I’m glad I found your comments. (They ended up in the spam folder for some reason.)

      I love the perspective you shared about what is important in life. Thank you!

      Sallie

  5. Dear Sallie … I am enjoying your website so very much. We have so much in common … kindred hearts for sure. I am browsing ‘peeping’ all around and find it all so heartwarming. Thank you for such a warm and cosy space to come to as I enjoy my quiet time. Homespun Hugs ♥ Teri

  6. It sounds like we are kindred spirits. Could I send you a copy of the children’s book I authored, which reflects a relaxed yet family centered approach to how we homeschool? I believe homeschooling sound fit into a family’s natural rhythm.

  7. I was unsure of how to contact you. This is the method I chose and I hope that you are okay with it. I read your comments recently on a seller’s forum we are both members of. I wanted to say that I thought you are very brave for speaking out so forcefully. I too have been a critic in recent months and have incurred the wrath of many who refuse to discuss any possible problems. I just wanted to say thank you for being that voice because it is very important to not follow blindly. I was glad to see I am not alone in wanting to voice displeasure with that institution. There are many positives but there are also many, many problems. Good luck in the future. : )

    • Hi Marrissa,

      THANK YOU for searching me out to offer a word of support and encouragement. It is something that has so rarely happened in that place that another friend sent me an email this morning entitled “Miracle” due to the fact that people were agreeing with what I was saying. LOL!

      I’m guessing the days of group think are finished there which is a very good thing. I hope they can salvage the entire operation because it’s a total disaster at the moment. This is one of those times when I take no pleasure in saying “I told you so” but I mentioned years ago in the forum the danger of completely building a business on a rented lot which is what that place is. I even shared a couple of articles about why this is unwise, but of course I was pooh-poohed as a non-cheerleader. I even left the forums for most of a couple of years because I couldn’t deal with the group think.

      I really feel for the people who left jobs to do it full time and their family is completely dependent on it. We need our income from there, but not at the same level I know it is for many people. For their sakes, I hope this can get worked out.

      Thanks again for writing!
      Sallie

  8. Hi Sally, I’m an INFJ who is also a recovering perfectionist who dropped off of social media. I have a son who is also 12 and twice exceptional. I really look forward to reading your packet and wanted to send some encouragement and thanks your way for creating this space.

    • Hi Jennifer,

      It’s great to meet you. It sounds like we have a lot in common! I hope you find the information in the Cozy Life Library helpful and encouraging.

      Please feel free to jump in on discussions any time and share what you’ve learned about parenting a 2e son. There are lots of people who like to learn from others.

      Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment to encourage me. I truly appreciate it.

      Sallie

  9. Hi, Sallie! Just stumbled upon your site because we had similar blog names 🙂 I absolutely LOVE your site and everything you strive for. Can’t wait to now subscribe 🙂 Cheers!

  10. Sallie,
    I love your blog. It hits all the right notes for me. My first encounter with it was your diagram of a 2e homeschooler, which is the picture that sums up our family’s life.
    I’m a gifted Christian homeschool mom of seven gifted/2e kids. I send some of them to school for services.

    I also don’t use Facebook, which can be isolating, but after reading your posts, I feel better about it. My college age kid has thanked me for not being on it because her peers are having a really hard time living in the Facebook fishbowl.

    I also love your posts on old school blogging, which I used to do as my creative outlet. It’s encouraging that you’re seeing a shift in people tiring of the fast paced internet life.

    Thanks again!

  11. Hi Sallie,
    I just found your website on the internet. I’m a mommy of an almost 4 years old daughter. Me and my husband are considering homeschooling her too, for one and only one reason: We all are night-owls and a life with morning schedules neither works for us, nor offeres any kind of life quality.

    Considering the amounting scientific evidence of how harmful it is to force people into a schedule far off from their internal clock, I’m puzzled why there is still this fanatism about mornings. We founded recently an Initiative: https://en.gobettertimes.org/ (especially interesing for your: “social jetlag” and “chronotypes” in the top bar).

    On the following page, you can read what these early school schedules do to our children: https://en.gobettertimes.org/school-performance
    so, I 100% support you: It is amazing that you protect your daughter from that, so she can learn productively and develop a feeling for her bodies natural awekeness and tiredness (most people lost that already).

    I would love to come in contact with you and talk about your experience in homeschooling in the afternoon.

    I wish you all the best and hope to hear from you.

    Best regards,
    Manuela

  12. Hi Sallie,

    I have come to your website after seeing your ad in the Old Schoolhouse Magazine. Your website contains so much information on many topics relevant to my own life. I am really happy to have found it.

    As for me, by way of introduction, I a first an foremost a Jesus girl – so glad to be saved by his Grace. Also, married (16 years in March), homeschooling (7+ years) 5 children on of whom is adult. Our homeschool now includes 4 ( ages 12- 10 months). 12 year old is 2e. I am an INTJ officially, but only by a hair’s breadth. Otherwise, I would be an INFJ.

    You mentioned on one of your articles blog posts where the conversation is ongoing. Could you point me to those? I’d be much abliged. Thanks!

    • Hi Amber,

      Welcome! I apologize I have been so slow to respond to your comment. The comment sections kind of ebb and flow depending on what people are looking for. Is there a specific topic you are interested in? Then I might be able to point you to a post to two with more comments.

      Sallie

    • Wow! So much information! I’m thankful that I found your page! To say that I am overwhelmed by my current life’s circumstances (5 kids that are gifted 2e, with chronic physical conditions), and being autistic myself, would be the understatement of the year. I wish I could sit down and have a cup of coffee with you! There is so much information to sort through here. I appreciate all the work you have done. I will slowly work through what you have available. There are many sources on gifted twice exceptional, but very few address the spiritual side. It is so important! Thank you for sticking to this calling and helping us desperate moms!

      • Hi Jennifer,

        Welcome! I’m sorry it’s taken me several days to respond to your comment. It does sound like you have a lot on your plate! Feel free to leave other comments and questions on posts. I’m usually better about responding in a more timely manner. And you might give me an idea for a new post.

        I have an ebook half written about parenting and understanding your child. I put it on hold and then was thinking about turning it into a video course that people could take any time they wanted. So many ideas, so little time… LOL!

        I hope to chat with you again!
        Sallie

  13. Hi Sallie,
    I found your site when looking into home school curriculums. I am coming from personal ignorance of home schooling. Do you share the curriculum you support? I really don’t know where to start and I don’t want to waste precious time by choosing one that is inadequate. Thank you for what you do.
    Cindy

    • Hi Cindy,

      I’d be happy to try to point you in the right direction to at least narrow down your search. I have tried and used a lot of different things.

      How old are your children? Are they bookish? Creative? Like academics? Independent workers or like to work with you? Like to read or not? Are you looking for something where you open a box and follow all the directions? Or do you want something more personalized? Secular or Christian? Are any of them gifted or twice-exceptional? Learning disabilities?

      There is soooooo much out there now that even knowing the answers to this would narrow it down a little.

      Sallie

      • Thank you for responding! Ages 6, 13, 15, all girls, struggling (failing) in public school. Masks, distancing, too many unreasonable and unnatural obstacles. They are beautiful, and completely capable of anything they would apply themselves to. I am looking for the best (fastest) way to get them up to speed and would like to do my own testing to see where they truly are educationally as opposed to what the school says. I don’t trust the school anymore.

        • Hi Cindy,

          Have you heard of deschooling? If your girls have really suffered over the past year, you might consider taking the first few months to recover. I know with two older girls you might have needs to do with high school, but it’s a thought. I’ll put a link below. Are they in 8th and 10th grade this year? (Taking a guess.)

          If they are also struggling I would ask them what they would like to do. Do they want textbooks? Video courses? Taking the time to really understand them and their desires will help. They may not even know how to answer if they’ve always been in school so you might have to take some time to figure it out.

          What state are you in? Have you looked into the requirements your state has? They vary wildly. I’m in Michigan and we have some of the easiest requirements in the country. Other have much more detailed expectations.

          Have you looked at the HSLDA website? They also have a lot of information.

          Do you older girls want to go to college? Not sure yet? That will impact what you want to do as well.

          I’m not trying to evade your original question. There’s a just a lot that goes into answering it. I could tell you to choose ABC curriculum and it could be a terrible fit for some reason. Or XYZ curriculum could be great for one daughter and not the other. There are so many factors. That’s partially why I’m encouraging you to take your time. Better to take an extra week or two and get it right than feel under pressure to start Right. Now. and then have to rethink things six weeks in.

          Sallie

          https://sallieborrink.com/importance-deschooling-homeschool-mom/

  15. Just wanted to say thank you so much for the free downloadable copywork! It’s going to be perfect for my crew of kiddos! God bless you!