A few months ago, I felt like I was grieving the end of our homeschooling era. But, to be honest. . .homeschooling started way before we actually started traveling and bought curriculum. And it’ll keep going whether my kids are in public, private, or homeschool.
I’ve learned that homeschooling can be a heart posture. It’s those moments that pop-up out of no where. The teachable moments. The trips that involve learning. The vacations with the history lessons. The practicing reading night after night. The life lessons every day. All the silly games your kids make up to practice the math they see in every day life.
Wherever you are in your journey with schooling your children, remember that it starts with where you are right now.
Take those moments, and see where they go! They can be pretty magical!
Our homeschool journey is quickly coming to an end.
We’ve been on this Journey for over 2 years now. It’s been hard, some days. It’s been easy, some days. It’s been beautiful, fun, challenging, and mundane. But, what has been my favorite part is being my kids’ teacher and seeing all of their growth first hand.
I’m so thankful for this journey, and a little sad to close this chapter…and also looking forward to what’s to come!
If you’re at a crossroads in your child’s education and you don’t know what you should do. Consider researching homeschool as an option! It really is a beautiful journey!
Looking back over the past 11 years, I’m so thankful that we have leaned into, encouraged, and nurtured creativity.
Whether it be playing in boxes, writing a book, creating a treasure map, or a board game- these kids know how to entertain themselves when they are bored.
One of my favorite phrases that I’ve adopted is: “It’s not my job to entertain you”.
When the “I’m bored” sets in, or the “I don’t wanna…” get murmured, or technology gets taken away…it doesn’t take long, and these kids are creating something.
In my opinion, one of the most powerful aspects of parenting is knowing your strengths and weaknesses, and matching that with nurturing your child’s strengths and areas of growth.
What aspect of parenting are you most proud of, in your family?
There has been a lot going on the last two years. So. Much.
I already knew that we needed a change, as a society.
However, the last two years. . . It has really opened my eyes to just HOW MUCH change we need.
When I think of all the things that need to change. I am reminded that it starts on an individual level. One person makes changes in their lives, and then those changes have a ripple effect on the people their are closest to in their lives, and so on.
If you’re eyes are just opening to the fact their needs to be a monumental shift in America.
Start small.
Start with one small thing that you can implement in your life.
Think about the things you are watching, reading, how much time are you spending on social media? Think about the places you are spending your money. What are you putting your time and energy into?
Then, hone in on just one thing to change. Maybe, you and your family cut back on tv time, or the type of tv you’ve been watching. Maybe you shift the kind of music you’ve been listening to.
Change it. Set a goal for one day, for one week, for one month, for one year.
If you mess up. DO. NOT. Be. Hard.On.Yourself. Do not. DO not beat your self up. Give your self grace. Dust yourself off, and get back up, and keep at it.
I can’t tell you those things that you need to change. You know what’s best for yourself and your family.
I can give ideas and resources, and that’s what I’ll be here for.
Change is hard. You may see some small improvements. You may see no improvements. You and your family may take 1 step forward, just to get 10 steps backwards.
AND- you may come out of a season. . . And, all of a sudden. You’ll see it. The work you and your family has done to make changes. You’ll see the fruit. It’ll be beautiful. It’ll be worth it.
From schedules to curriculum, outdoor play to field trips. . . Homeschooling has taught us to think about things differently!
One of the very first things we did was to take time off from learning.
We just played. Explored more.
This helped us shift to thinking about how homeschool would look different than traditional school.
We started school later than everyone, and we ended up unintentionally taking a month break. . . at the beginning of the year. We continued school throughout most of the next year, as a year-round school year. At most, each kid spent 2-3 hrs of intentional learning each day.
Our first year was definitely anything but traditional.
How did homeschooling look different than you expected?
I was about 18 when I realized that being a stay-at-home mom was an option.
I was 21 and student teaching, when I realized that homeschooling can include co-ops.
It was also in student teaching when I knew I didn’t want to be teaching in a public school.
As a Student Teacher, pregnant newlywed. . . All I wanted to do was be a stay at home mom. And I wanted to homeschool my kids.
It took about 7 years for my husband and I to find the same page, when we decided we wanted to travel full time and homeschool.
There are many reasons why I, personally, wanted to homeschool. I may share those at a later time. . . However, there were several things that were important to me, that I wanted us to have as a family.
Things that were important to me:
*Traveling more/field trips
*My kids learning about the world by experiencing the world
*Hands on learning. For my kids to have an environment that nurtures a love of learning. My kids having an environment that nurtures a love of reading.
*Us having a say in our children’s curriculum
*My kids to explore and learn about their interests
*My kids learning the skills they need to fly the nest: Chores, cooking, fixing things, finances, etc. . .
*Learning outdoors/outside free play and exploration
* And many, many, many more reasons.
Why did you start homeschooling? If you’re looking into homeschool, why do you want to homeschool?
Starting homeschool can be a daunting task. Just like any “new” thing you may take on. Wondering where to start? How to start? What will it look like?
For us, we were leaving public school. So, after the disruption of the pandemic. After the transition from being stationary, to traveling full-time. We needed a reset.
We needed to take some time off of “traditional”, to re-frame what learning at home would look like for us.
If you’re like us, and you’re transitioning from public school to homeschool. . . There are many things to do to “get started”:
* Write it down! Write down what you think homeschooling will look like. Write down what you want it to look like. Write down your fears. Write down what you’re excited about. Write down your obstacles. Write down your values. Write down your why.
*Research: Curriculum and State Laws. Different styles of homeschooling. Schedules.
*Find community. Find a mentor.
*Keep the transition conversation flowing with your kids.
*Take a season to play and explore, and to learn naturally, before starting curriculum and schedules. Especially, if your family is transitioning from public/private/charter school to homeschool.
2019- early 2020, I was excited to start writing, again.
Then, the pandemic.
Then, we started traveling, full-time, and homeschooling.
And writing. . . well, that went on the back burner.
And, these past 3 years. . . They’ve been hard, but they have given me SO much!
I’ m excited to start unpacking all of that. To share our journey. To help others.
Resolutions. New Year, New Me. All of that seems heavy to me, this year. I want nothing to do with it.
What are you
But, I do know what I’m looking forward to: continuing our homeschool journey, more trips, enjoying life, sunsets, warm weather, being outdoors, spending time with family and friends, and so much more!
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