We all start homeschooling with ideas and assumptions we bring in from our own experiences. Sometimes we have that “fantasy plan” of what we will do each day, to feel discouraged when the reality doesn’t match the dream.
Others constantly worry that they aren’t doing enough or have selected the “wrong” curriculum. Some folks are trying to recreate the public system in the home and realize this doesn’t work.
Whatever you are battling today, know that we have all been there and learned many lessons along the way. The most important thing you can do today is remember when God calls you into homeschooling, he will equip you with everything you need!
In fact, as a loving parent given charge of your child here on earth, you are the perfect person to raise that child, which includes their education!
We are conditioned to think only professionals trained in academics are qualified to teach children. This is the paradigm of the public system, but there are other valid paradigms.
Proverbs 22:6
Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Yes, you can successfully homeschool your child regardless of what the public educational system says. This blog has many articles that will support you in doing just that with a Biblical worldview.
The early years can be challenging as we refine our journey. Do you wish to look down the annals of time, have the lessons now, and avoid some mistakes?
I’ve gathered some excellent advice from a group of homeschooling moms, many of whom are veterans at this gig! Wonder what all their intelligent brains have to say? Wonder no more!
Before starting to homeschool, we wished we knew:
1 There is no “behind.”
2 Trial and error are OK.
3 Don’t rush. Relax and enjoy the process.
4 Know your “Why.”
Check out my post on this: Why do families homeschool? (How to strengthen your why and stay homeschooling!)
5 Know what works for you and stick to it, don’t get side-tracked or procrastinate
6 There are so many options for curriculum and activities, don’t get overwhelmed.
7 Less is more. Busy work can steal everyone’s joy of homeschooling.
8 Don’t let others’ questions or judgment deter you from your God-given mission to homeschool. It just doesn’t matter. Check out my post, The three main reasons why homeschool parents are criticized.
9 Pre-school is unnecessary. Your babies are learning every day and don’t need school structure at 3 or 4 years old!
10 Don’t push the oldest too hard. You will regret this when you look back from the vantage point you gain along the way.
11 God is using homeschooling to mold YOU too!
12 Life skills and chores are essential homeschooling subjects!
13 Your relationship with your child is more important than a lesson plan.
14 Do your research and trust your instincts.
15 Have a routine (not a schedule by the clock). See this post, How should I structure/schedule my homeschool day? (Block scheduling for focus and flexibility)
16 Developing character and growing love for each other is far more critical than transcripts.
17 Don’t forget to have fun!
18 You don’t need to replicate school and have a “classroom.”
19 There will be bad days, weeks, or years.
20 Everyone has hard days and wants to quit. Everyone. A helpful post to read, How do I stop parent or student homeschool burnout? (and why burnout happens)
21 Ditch the drive for perfection.
22 It’s OK to be a late reader.
23 Mothering and discipleship are the core of homeschooling.
24 Homeschooling isn’t just about academics.
25 Don’t be afraid to change what isn’t working.
26 Hubby can have good advice, ask him!
27 Be thankful we are called to homeschool!
28 Comparison will steal your joy. Check this out, Nugget #4- Why you compare yourself to others (and what to do about it!)
29 Your school will look different because your family is different.
30 Don’t try to be something you’re not.
31 Embrace what kind of school you are and what type of family you have (not what you want it to be).
32 Buy curriculum for the February tired over-it mom, not the planning-mode next year will be great, delusional May mom.
33 All kids are different and need different things.
34 Don’t compare your kids to other kids.
35 You don’t need a curriculum.
36 Every year is different because your child is in a different place academically and emotionally than the year before.
37 Serve others and break out of the “home” part of homeschooling sometimes.
38 Lastly, my new good friend Lisa summed it all up beautifully. Let’s end with this:
Home education is more than academics— it’s life training.
I wish I would have known it was all going to turn out fine— my fears and worries would only hinder the journey.
That our formal education would transition around age 15, not 18. At age 15, I was training my young person to be an adult. To drive, work, manage a bank account, begin college/dual enrollment and training them to manage life on their own.
I would be the one learning along the way— about my children, about myself, about how our lives would evolve, overcome, and through every hardship we would become stronger yet.
I had no idea when I started homeschooling how my goals would change over the years. How much I would learn about effective teaching and about choosing the best curriculum for our family’s needs.
I am thankful I can look back and rejoice and know we’ve produced God-fearing, educated adults.
Lisa Sproul
thepurposedrivenwife.com – Wife, Women, Entrepreneur, Family
Yes. We are raising adults that worship the one true God and creator of the universe. This must be the priority. The world wants us to believe a college education and a good-paying job is the end goal.
Matthew 6:19-20
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
We are helping our children build a strong foundation by showing them how to love and glorify God in all they do and see everything through an eternal, biblical worldview.
[This blog post is helpful, Nugget #3- Your worldview matters (What is your lens?)
On top of this strong foundation, they build walls and rooms and a roof that will not fall when the rains come tumbling down, and the floods come up. The house on the rock stands firm!
As my kids have gotten older, I have seen a fascinating trend.
They talk about so many wonderful things…that I haven’t taught them and don’t know myself! I wonder why I bothered to homeschool since they are adept at learning; maybe they didn’t need me at all!
But that foundation that you can’t see holds up the walls and rooms they build. It is their house, not yours. You have the tools and resources to help them with a strong foundation in the early years, so they can build their home when they are older.
You can do this, mom!
You are qualified, equipped, and called. Make disciples of Jesus Christ with all this fantastic knowledge and know now what many of us learned along the way!
(Special thanks to the ladies on Facebook who contributed their thoughts to this article!)