Saturday, August 18, 2012

10 Things Every New Homeschool Mom Should Know


Number 1-Homeschooling is Harder and Easier Than You Think
it is harder
because your children are home all day during the week
and so are you

you probably won't get to go
to all those daytime bible studies
morning coffee with friends
lunch with friends
or that early pilates class you've been longing to try

but the good news is
you can still go out for supper with friends
or Saturday brunch with friends
and probably make it to that evening Zumba class
everyone's been telling you about

it is harder
because you can't blame
anyone else
if your child can't read by the age of 12
or is a discipline problem

it is harder because
like laundry and dirty dishes
homeschooling is an ongoing job
that you have to find the energy
to get up and do every single day

but

it is easier because
you don't have to get up at the crack of dawn to pack lunches
get everyone dressed
breakfasted
brushed
packed
and otherwise presentable
in time for that big yellow bus

it is easier because
your children won't have to rush home
eat a snack
go to practice
do homework
clean up
help with dinner
spend time with dad
go to bible study
practice piano
and hurry up and play

because your children
will accomplish most of those things
during the day
before everyone else
trudges home from the bus stop

it is easier when you realize
that so much learning happens
with a little one curled up in your lap
or by your side on the sofa

it is easier
because your kids don't feel pressured
to keep up 
with the latest
(and grossly overpriced)
 fashion trends

it is easier 
when you don't have to ask your children
what they did all day
because you have the privilege 
of enjoying the day together

it is easier when you realize
that learning includes
cooking dinner together
reading books
coloring
memorizing scripture
doing laundry
watching documentaries
baking cookies
going to the zoo
washing dishes (with extra suds)

and a host of other
unexpectedly fun experiences

Number 2-You Will Waste Money
despite the best laid plans
you will waste an occasional buck or two
on curriculum you hate
or your child hates

or stuff that looked really awesomely cool
on that website
but in reality
just bores you to tears

chalk it up to experience
and know that this will happen less
with each year you get under your belt

Number 3-Find Support
you need it

find a community of homeschool moms
you can relate to
learn from
commiserate with

or if you live in the middle of nowhere
find just one other family

or if you're truly isolated
find one online

or read homeschooling blogs
and join homeschooling chat rooms

there are lots of wonderful options
to connect you to like-minded moms

Number 4-Library Fines Happen
sometimes often

budget for them
because you will occasionally
forget to renew (or return)
those history stories
biographies
early readers
books on cd
dvds

know what?

it's money well spent

if you're lucky
your library will have a food drive
each year in December
and you will be able to bring in a donation of groceries
to cancel out that $28.00 library fine you've accumulated 

hypothetically speaking, of course

just remember:
those fines mean
you're enjoying lots of books
whilst simultaneously supporting your local library

just a little tip:
buy a sturdy laundry basket
for library trips

trust me on this one

Number 5-Anticipate Rude Questions
from uninformed folks

i'm frequently astonished
at the personal questions some people ask
that range from  moderately irritating
to wildly inappropriate

is that legal?
of course not. but don't tell anyone.
actually, yes. in every state and in most of the industrialized world
are all these kids yours?
yes. i rarely look around for extra children to bring grocery shopping with me
do your kids have any friends?
do yours?
actually, yup. gobs.
are you going to keep homeschooling forever?
are you going to keep public schooling forever?
do you have a teaching degree?
nope. nor do i have a culinary arts degree
but i have managed to successfully cook for my family
for the past 17 years.
i bet your kids are really smart, huh?
nope. just average.
i bet your kids are really behind, huh?
behind what, exactly? a public school system that is owned and operated by our wonderfully efficient federal government and currently ranks well behind other nations? is that a trick question?

anticipate those questions
and many more

and decide ahead of time
what balance of grace and snark
you'll effect to answer them

Number 5-Read. A Lot
there are so many helpful books about homeschooling
out there

here's a partial list
of books i've found most helpful

Mary Pride's Complete Guide to Getting Started in Homeschooling
The Three R's
The Way They Learn

there are lots more
but that should get you started

Number 6-Avoid Comparing Yourself To Others
i've said this before
and i'll probably say it again

you are the best judge
of what 
how 
and when
your children need to learn

there's a ton of awesome curriculum out there
but it won't all work for you and yours

relax

Rome wasn't built in a day
and i'm pretty sure there must have been some setbacks
and schematic problems along the way

talk to others
get good ideas from others

but recognize that God gave your kids to you
to raise 
teach
and love

if you ask Him
He will abundantly supply
every single ounce of inspiration
motivation
and ability for the task ahead

Number 7-Go Places
lots and lots of places

one of the best things about homeschooling
is that you get to go on field trips
whenever you want to

and because most other children are in school
those places usually aren't very busy

not sure where to go
museum and zoo memberships make 
great gift ideas for grandparents to send at Christmas
so be sure to drop plenty of strong hints

number 8-Join HSLDA
(Home School Legal Defense Association)
is a wonderful legal group
that is all about protecting and advancing homeschooling
through the US and the world

family memberships are around
$100 per year
and give you access to legal aid
helpful forms
and even curriculum discounts

you can also look up
the homeschool law by state
so you'll know what you need to do
to be in compliance

Number 9-Find a Local or State Conference To Attend
whether you are just starting out
or have been homeschooling for years
you should try your level best
to find some sort of conference
or curriculum fair to visit

these are places
where you will find encouragement
and help for the journey you are undertaking

i arrived at my first state convention
when i was feeling burnt out
and discouraged

i left
a mere two days later
feeling energized and excited
for continuing on this path of homeschooling

some topics that you will find at most conventions include

record keeping
legal questions
discipline
struggling learners
gifted learners
homemaking
parenting
how to plan and teach during the high school years
homeschooling on a budget

and much more

most conventions are affordable
and within an easy driving distance

and are also a great way
to look at curriculum up close
and even talk to the vendors
and ask questions

well worth the time and money spent

Number 10-Pray
pray
pray
pray

actually
this one
should probably have been number 1

pray with your children each morning
pray for your children every day
pray with your husband 
pray with other moms

some books on the subject
in all your ways submit to him, 
and he will make your paths straight


Number 11-Enjoy This
i know i said
that this was a '10 Things' list

but consider this your free bonus

enjoy the limited time you have
to enjoy teaching your children at home

these moments are so special
and go by so very fast

it can be so easy to get caught up
in the stress of doing more
that we lose sight of how precious this gift of time
really is

so

enjoy




{alison}
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