The decision to homeschool is simultaneously exhilarating and full of trepidation. Today, I want to talk about some of the fear and ways to minimize it. Making the choice to homeschool often immediately leads to overwhelm. You’re faced with swarms of questions like: What do I do next? How do I choose curriculum? How do I track grades and progress? Do I need to join a co-op?
First things first. There’s no doubt you made the choice to homeschool because there is something you want your child to get from their education that the school system wasn’t providing. What is that thing? What are your educational goals for your family? How do you envision your homeschool? What does a typical school day look like?
Your answers to these questions will influence the rest of your homeschool decisions. Do you want your child to spend more time outdoors? Charlotte Mason and Waldorf philosophies may be of interest to you. Is learning at your child’s pace, rather than a paced curriculum a priority? Montessori, Charlotte Mason, and others check the box.
When I first started homeschooling, I knew of the different learning philosophies, but I didn’t know how they worked or what they valued. I didn’t think they were of great importance to me, as my plan was to do my own thing and my kids would learn as they were led. It was generally successful, but looking back, a lack of an overarching plan made schooling more stressful for me.
That first year, I didn’t know what I was doing. Neither did the world, for that matter. 2020 wasn’t kind in the world of education. I wasn’t convinced that homeschooling would be long term for us, so I wanted to teach the standards and keep my kids on par with their peers, should they re-enroll. I relied on my teaching background, but also found myself resistant to many of the boxed curricula available. I didn’t want to spend large amounts of money on workbooks that would be thrown out at the end of the year. I also didn’t want to just teach to a textbook. I had seen the damage poor writing and dry story telling does throughout my 5 years of teaching in public schools. I wanted my kids to love learning- to find history interesting and compelling, science fascinating and wonderful. This meant they needed to experience these subjects in a real and living way. I knew I wanted to take them on field trips and do science experiments and observe our world using our senses. I incorporated these hands on lessons as I could throughout that first year. I also knew I didn’t need textbooks for my kids to learn history or science. Where hands on experiences weren’t possible, the library filled the gap. I made it my goal to find interesting and engaging nonfiction and fiction books on our current topics of study. Sometimes, I found awesome books that made history come alive. Other times, the books were just as dry as a textbook and were quickly returned. My kids still learned. And I learned about myself, my educational values, and my family’s needs and preferences.
This is what I wish I had known before we decided to homeschool. The longer we homeschooled, and the more I refined our approach to learning, I discovered that my learning preferences align very closely with Charlotte Mason. As I began to read about and inform myself of educational philosophies, I saw a simpler way to plan our homeschool. I realized I wasn’t alone in most of my ideas. I realized that the vision I have my for my children is attainable- thousands have done it before me, and thousands are doing it right now. I also saw my ideas being laid out neatly before me in organized plans for simpler school days. All of this was revolutionary in our decision to continue homeschooling. Now, in our third year of homeschooling, we are thriving. I’m less stressed about curriculum choices. I’m able to help our children discover their passions and encourage their creativity. Perhaps most importantly, my children are interested and engaged in their lessons. The whining about school has nearly disappeared. We enjoy our lessons, and that matters to me!
So, if you are seriously considering beginning a homeschool journey, I highly encourage you to start reading. Read about educational philosophies. Read about implementing these philosophies. Discover your why for homeschooling. Discover what resonates with your soul and nourishes your children’s soul. While I will advocate for the Charlotte Mason method, I also know that every family and every child is unique. It’s so important for you to inform yourself of the various educational methods to find what meets your family’s needs. I know family’s thriving in a Montessori setting, and others who prefer forest school and/or Waldorf settings. There is value in every method, when properly applied to the right family. So start making a book list and read, read, read. It’s ok to change your opinion as you learn more. One of the first books I read about home education many years before even considering homeschooling was The Core by Leigh A Bortins. Many ideas I agreed with. Others I did not. Many ideas helped to shape my thoughts on education. Read about many different philosophies to find and build your family’s philosophy. Determine your educational goals, find your philosophy, then find curriculum and co-ops that fall within your chosen style. Happy Learning!
Some of my recommended reads:
-For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer McCauley
-The Call of the Wild and Free by Ainsley Arnett
-Home Education Series by Charlotte Mason
-The Core by Leigh A. Bortins
-The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer
On my List:
-The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart
-Four Hour School Day by Durenda Wilson
-A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille
-The Unhurried Homeschooler by Durenda Wilson