It’s that time of year again. Many are going back to school and some never left. Hey, to each its own. Here is some of my best homeschooling advice for all those amazing moms, dads, grandparents and/or caretakers who have dedicated themselves to the incredible job of educating the children God has blessed them with. Some of whom could teach me a thing or two, I’m sure.
I currently, as of the writing of this post that is, have a child who just started college, a newborn, a toddler still in diapers and multiple ages and stages in between. Learning has always been a big part of our lives. Teaching and learning go hand in hand and are passions of mine. I’ve been working with children in particular in and outside of my home for over 20 years now. Wow, I don’t feel old enough to write that.
Here’s a disclaimer right out the door, I’m not the perfect teacher or the perfect mother. That does not exist. However, I love what I do. I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to be “perfect,” you just have to be present, committed and loving. Also, any, and I mean any other skills you possess, can and will be used.
So in lieu of the season we are in at our homestead, and in response to questions I sometimes get, here is some of my best homeschooling advice.
1. Have fun.
Okay, so in reality not every day is going to be nonstop fun. There are days when you just have to get down to business and teach lessons about things that may not be of much interest to your kids. However, learning can and should be fun overall. If you’re having fun, then chances are your kids will have fun and will probably even learn a new thing or two. So, get creative, think outside the box, and dare to think like a child. Besides, life is better that way.
Tip: View post “15 Budget Friendly Things to do with Your Kids” for ideas to keep life fun and build memories.
2. Organize!
Even if you’re not that into lesson plans and worksheets, you will still find it helpful to organize your home, and particularly those things related to teaching your kiddos. I for one am a huge list maker, I’ve been known to make lists about making lists. However, I’m not the greatest organizer, mainly due to lack of time. I crave time to organize because when I find the time to do so, I appreciate how much smoother life seems to go.
On top of that, many of you may find yourself having to keep records for local school authorities or umbrella schools depending on where you live. Keeping things organized can save a lot of grief. Even if this doesn’t apply to you, you will greatly benefit by being a good record keeper. Besides, there’s bound to be a lot of awesome moments that you’ll want to record in one way or another.
Tip: Using a daily planner like this one I found on Amazon can help you keep your days organized.
3. Don't compare yourself to others.
No two teachers are the same, and no two children are the same either. Try not to get caught up in comparing yourself or your children with others. If what you have works for your family, then go with it. Sure, it’s wise to study different teaching methods and curriculums, and to learn from others who have gone before you, but don’t think you have to mimic others to be successful.
4. Don't let curriculum confine you.
It’s amazing how many resources there are out there today for homeschoolers. There is certainly no shortage of curriculum to choose from if you choose to use any. As a teacher at heart, I’m like a kid in a candy store when I get a new catalog in the mail or attend a convention with all the freebies and materials on display. However, all these things must be kept in their place.
Remember that you are the one that controls the curriculum, the curriculum should not control you. I remember in my early years of teaching, how liberating it was to pull out worksheets or skip lessons that my child just didn’t need. If something doesn’t help your child, don’t just go through the motions so you can check something off the list. Find something that does help, many of my favorite lessons have been ones I custom made myself.
Tip: As much as I love finding and testing new curriculums, some can cost you a small fortune. Teaching your kids doesn’t have to drain your bank. I recently found this book “Homeschool Your Child For Free” at the library and it’s absolutely loaded with links to online resources for teaching. I couldn’t put it down. I’m going to be buying a copy of my own to keep on hand, it’s a small price for all it provides you with.
5. Pray and seek out help.
I’m a praying mama for sure. I understand that maybe some of you are not. However, since this is my advice, I would tell you to seek divine help. Raising up children is an enormous responsibility and it’s definitely not an easy task. I ask for help from God on a continuous basis. He blessed me with these little’s and I want to be my very best for them.
There’s a saying that I often hear from a traveling preacher friend of ours, he says, “God has a bad habit of using people.” My point of that is, if you need help, reach out to others of like-mindedness, those that may understand where you’re coming from and can give you some guidance. Don’t be an island when you need a helping hand or listening ear.
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6. Remember why you're doing this.
Your “why” is a powerful thing. We all have chosen this lifestyle for varying reasons. It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness and stresses of the day-to-day tasks and lose our joy. Remember why you chose to home school your children. Have a vision for your journey. The road can certainly get bumpy, and you must know how to encourage yourself in those times. I recently heard a smart man say, “Hard is not always bad and easy is not always good.” It’s my experience that some of the best things in life require hard work.
7. Don't let a bad day define your journey.
We’ve all had bad days. Hey, I’ve had bad months! In these times, you’ve got to have grit. If you’ve never been a glass half full kind of person, maybe it’s time to change. When I was a kid, my mom would play oldies a lot around the house when she was cleaning. A lot of those songs still pop into my head today at random times. One such tune I’ve caught myself singing over the years is, “Mama said there’ll be days like this, there’ll be days like this, my mama said” by The Shirelles. Is it in your head now? Somehow it relieves a little stress every time I feel compelled to sing that tune. If there are bad days, there’s bound to be good days, just don’t let the bad define your journey. Just keep singing.
8. Teach for life.
I tell my kids that life is learning and learning is life. We are to never stop learning. When you stop learning, you stop growing. Amid all the mathematical equations, periodic tables, diagramming sentences etc. (all of which are fine by the way), don’t forget to teach for life. Homeschooling provides a grand opportunity to teach your children so much more than what’s in a textbook. Many life lessons are learned outside of the school room. Embrace those learning moments when they come along. Learning to have integrity and good character, for example, is priceless.
9. Know that you are enough, you can do this!
I’ve had my fair share of struggling homeschooling parents come up to me and ask me for advice in one form or another. What I have found through the years is that most of the time, they just want to know that I too have bad days and that I’m not perfect. It’s like they are just waiting for someone to confirm to them that it’s ok to struggle at times.
As your child’s parent you were their first teacher and never probably considered it. You most likely taught them how to talk, how to walk, how to go on a potty, tie a shoe, ride a bike, etc…. and the list goes on. Teaching your children has always been a natural thing. You can do this! You’ve been doing it all along!
10. Form community.
Many of us have heard the old African saying “It takes a village to raise a child.” Well, there is a lot of truth to that. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people in the world and in our communities that we really shouldn’t have our kids around. To this, I say, form your own community. It may be small, it may be large, but most likely not too large. Also, it will most likely consist of people that you’ve know for some time.
Likeminded people who can give support and encouragement to you and your family are a great treasure. Some families really enjoy co-ops, where they and their kids can gather with other families on occasion to learn, work or play. Click HERE to help you find homeschooling groups in your area. Conventions can also be great places to find support and meet others.
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