5 Things We Did Right In Our Homeschool

Homeschooling

5 Things We Did Right

(or 5 things we done good on)

I wrote the following because my kids are grown now.  In all our years of homeschooling, I was so afraid I was ruining my kids with my inadequate skills.  I can look back now and see a lot we got right. 

I hope this encourages you.  Hang in there. 

1.  Read Aloud ~ This was by far, the best thing we ever did as a family and in our homeschooling.  I regret so much not doing more of it, as now the time is gone.  *sniff*  Start them young.  If your children are older, start now.  Some of our best, most powerfully moving memories and moments shared as a family, came from sharing great literature together. 

2.  Word of the Day ~ not only was this amazingly helpful, most of the time it was hysterically fun.  We all kept little journals for unfamiliar words.  We would choose a word of the day, write it on the fridge, memorize the definition, then use the word all day in as many conversations and sentences as possible.  This game became a riot.  Not only were my children learning vocabulary, we were laughing and making memories. 

3.  Go for walks and collect things ~  We loved rocks, feathers, shells, plants and insects.  I think I loved the insects more than the children, but because I was excited about my AWESOME bug collection, they learned.  :) 

4.  Realize as soon as possible, every child is different ~  Each child learns differently.  Watch and listen to them carefully, pray for wisdom and teach your child his/her style of learning.  If you're forcing your child into hours of workbooks, when all they want to do is read.....hmmm....you're child is telling you something.  Are you listening? 

5.  Unschooling (or relaxed) is not a dirty word. ~  There are seasons of life.  Be flexible and be at peace about it.  Give yourself permission, turn your kids loose to study what they want.  Life happens.  (Mom has car wrecks, Dad travels 2 weeks every month and grandparents die, for example). 

Psssttt...And whatever you do, during this "unschooling" time or any other time, do NOT compare yourself to the Trivium family or Mr. and Mrs. A Beka, who has it all together (or to anyone else, because you'll literally go insane).  Do. Not. Compare.  They are not you.  You are not them.  We are all unique units with different needs.  (For the record, we used Sonlight).      . 

*More to come in this series.  My daughter and other friends are making their lists. 


Sharing with Sunny Simple Sunday

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My favorite thing about this photo is it wasn't staged.  I love capturing "real" moments in my children's life



I have homeschooled my children for 12 years.  We used Sonlight at home, as well as other fine curriculums in co-ops.  One child is in college, has her AA and is working on her BA.  The other will graduate this May.  I've had some success as well as many failures and many "head against wall smashing".  While this is not a homeschool blog, I do hope to encourage other parents out there who are traumatized by math, terrorized by their child's latest melt down, or tanking from lack of motivation ..........

 

I want you to know and believe the following:

 

*It can be done*

*You're doing a great job*

*Your children are going to grow up just fine*  

*You're not messing them up as much as you think you are*
*chill out.*  

 

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ALSO, (I've heard it all, so don't go there)

 

1.  I don't hate public school.  I love teachers.  Some of my best and closest friends teach in public schools.  

2.  I am not superior or inferior because I homeschool.  You are not superior or inferior because your children attend school outside the home. 

3. Homeschooling is not for everyone.  Not everyone can do it.  If you cannot or do not want to homeschool, you're not a bad person or a bad parent. 

4.  Parents (and teachers) are VERY OPINIONATED, SENSITIVE and DEFENSIVE regarding education.  If you feel a need to "fight" or share a condescending, nasty opinion, take it else where.  Ain't no body got time for that.