Homeschool–Tips and Advice

Here are a few things I have learned over the years as a homeschooling mom. 

With homeschooling there is no typical day. Every day is different and sometimes unexpected things pop up. Only one out of ten days (if that) turn out exactly the way you planned it.  Expect delays and changes.  They are inevitable!

No family is exactly the same. The dynamics of each family is different, therefore you need to plan accordingly. DO NOT try and copy someone else’s daily schedule. You need to figure out what works for you.  Take ideas from others but don’t get down on yourself if it doesn’t work for you. 

Have fun with it! Don’t stress the small stuff. If your child is not ready to learn something it’s ok. Just because one child learns to read at 4, it doesn’t mean he/she will be a better reader than a child that learns to read at 6. The potty training analogy: A child that potty trains at 2 is not a better potty goer at 25 years of age than the child that trains at 4 or 5…. just sayin’.  :)

Expect that every child will be different. We (Brooke & Anthony) have three girls with three very different learning styles. One is extremely visual, one is auditory with a dose of photographic memory, one is kinesthetic/visual… hearing something means next to NOTHING with her. This is why we don’t believe you can plug 20+ children into a classroom and expect that the curriculum will work for all of them.

Relax! Your child/ren will learn. You don’t need to cram facts or worry that they are behind. Let your child learn at his or her own pace. They WILL learn it whether it be now or later. It really doesn’t matter when. Students teach themselves. You are only there as a mentor.

Get Dad, grandparents and other family members involved. They have so much to offer! 

• Anthony has taught the kids so many things that I could never have taught them myself. 
• Anthony’s Dad is into nature, birds in particular.  Because of his influence K is able to identify many birds by their calls alone.  And if she sees a bird she is able to tell us what kind it is almost without fail.
• My mom comes over once a week and teaches K and A to sew.  That is something that I never learned to do even though my mom has a phenomenal talent for it! 
• A neighbor of ours taught the girls to crochet… several years ago.  Another thing I never learned to do.  And just this week they have been crocheting up a storm! 

 

I’ve got a couple more posts in this homeschooling series but I don’t want anyone to think that we feel that EVERYONE should homeschool.  We absolutely do NOT think that.  I am just so grateful that the option is there for us.  The public/charter/private schools absolutely serve a great purpose in our communities.  Homeschooling is not for everyone.  In a home where both parents work it is most likely not even an option.  And there are a hundred thousand other reasons that homeschooling may or may not work for you.

Having said that, I do have to say that I think that in order for ANY educational route to work for ANY child, the parents need to be as involved as possible.  Especially in those younger years.  Maybe join the PTA, ask a lot of questions, sit down and do homework together, etc.  Show an interest! 

 

I hope that if you’re considering homeschooling you’ll research it all that you can.  If you have any questions for me I would love to answer them.  Please email me or leave a comment.