For a while now, I’ve wanted to let you all know about free (or almost free) resources for homeschoolers, especially for those of us in New Jersey. I have four children, and ours is a one income family, so finding cool, fun and education programs that’s not too expensive can be a challenge.

This month, we attended our first Milk and Cookies performance at the State Theatre in New Brunswick. Storyteller Diane Macklin had us engaged in her tales, getting us to make all sorts of animal and nature sounds or hand gestures. The younger crowd loved it – and as a fan of good storytelling – I loved it too. I was afraid it might be too simplistic for my older kids, my 10 and 9 year olds were some of the older ones in the audience, but even they participated, enjoying the show.

My tween, especially. I know how she thinks, what her strengths are, were her passions lie – that’s one of the great gifts of homeschooling: you know your child intimately. My Susan is a storyteller: whether it be writing, oral or using her Webkinz to act out her imagination, she’s good at spinning a good tale. I hope that watching a professional storyteller such as Ms. Macklin plants a seed in her heart of how she can use her gifts in the future.

If you are a New Jersey homeschooler, check out the Milk and Cookies series at the State Theatre.

And, in case you are wondering, they really do give the kids free milk and cookies before the (also free) show. Snacks and stories, can’t beat that!