When a family decides to homeschool, it is a big and important step. It is usually best if both parents are in agreement regarding the decision to homeschool. However, it is possible to do it even when one parent is not totally on board, just a bit more challenging. Homeschooling affects every faces and aspects of your family life. This is why this week the TOS Crew will explore the theme of tips for homeschool parents
Today, as part of this week-long 5 Days of Tips for Homeschool Parents, I would like to share with you a few tips regarding the actual homeschooling that can help with the ease of homeschooling.
Decide as a family your style of homeschooling. There are as many ways to homeschool as there are homeschool parents. That said there are major styles that/or methods that you can tailor your homeschool to, which will help you set a course for it, and serve as a guide or compass throughout the journey.
Classical, Charlotte Mason, Child-Led, Relaxed, Unschooling, Traditional, Eclectic, to name the main ones, but there are many more. Check a previous post of mine on Homeschooling Styles and Methods.
Decide on a routine. Routines can be freeing. I use to not like routine, but overtime I have come to learn to make it my friend. Kids love and thrive on routine, so find one that works for you and the rest of the family, and work with it.
Research your homeschool curriculum. This is my favorite one. The homeschool market is saturated. There is so much out there that it can get overwhelming pretty soon. Start early. Take your time and research everything. Look at samples, read reviews and talk to others before settling on a curriculum.
Avoid playing the comparison game. This one is a hard one, but an important one. The temptation to look at someone else's homeschool style, kids, family routine etc... can be so strong that it can paralyze us and plunge us in despair, or cause us to start doubting ourselves. Just don't compare! Each family is unique. You cannot emulate what another family does, so don't try. Understand and work with your own family dynamic, and learn to rejoice in what the Lord has given you.
Expect bad days. Everyday is going to be different, that is one of the benefit of homeschooling. You do not just teach academic, you also teach the soul and heart, and with homeschooling you get to teach to the moment (one of the thing I love best about having the kids at home 24/7). Those odds days are always opportunities to learn and grow in different areas both for the parents and the kids.
Look for the small victories. There will be progress, this is certain. So look for those and rejoice in them, it will make the journey more enjoyable and worth it!
Pray for your homeschool and for your kids. This is obvious, but necessary. This is the heart of it. Without God's help and guidance it will be harder. But as we rely on Him for everything, from the enabling to the teaching, homeschooling becomes a true joy!
This whole week the crew is sharing tips on a plethora of topics, make sure to check them out. Here are 10 posts to get you rolling.
Dawn @ Double O Farms
Dawn @ Guiding Light Homeschool
Debbie @ Debbie's Homeschool Corner
Desiree @ Our Homeschool Notebook
Diana @ Busy Homeschool Days
Diana @ Homeschool Review
Elyse @ Oiralinde: Eternal Song
Emilee @ Pea of Sweetness
Erin @ For Him and My Family
Jen @ Chestnut Grove Academy
In this Series:
Homeschooling Tips
Budget Tips
Family Fun Tips
Today, as part of this week-long 5 Days of Tips for Homeschool Parents, I would like to share with you a few tips regarding the actual homeschooling that can help with the ease of homeschooling.
Decide as a family your style of homeschooling. There are as many ways to homeschool as there are homeschool parents. That said there are major styles that/or methods that you can tailor your homeschool to, which will help you set a course for it, and serve as a guide or compass throughout the journey.
Classical, Charlotte Mason, Child-Led, Relaxed, Unschooling, Traditional, Eclectic, to name the main ones, but there are many more. Check a previous post of mine on Homeschooling Styles and Methods.
Decide on a routine. Routines can be freeing. I use to not like routine, but overtime I have come to learn to make it my friend. Kids love and thrive on routine, so find one that works for you and the rest of the family, and work with it.
Research your homeschool curriculum. This is my favorite one. The homeschool market is saturated. There is so much out there that it can get overwhelming pretty soon. Start early. Take your time and research everything. Look at samples, read reviews and talk to others before settling on a curriculum.
Avoid playing the comparison game. This one is a hard one, but an important one. The temptation to look at someone else's homeschool style, kids, family routine etc... can be so strong that it can paralyze us and plunge us in despair, or cause us to start doubting ourselves. Just don't compare! Each family is unique. You cannot emulate what another family does, so don't try. Understand and work with your own family dynamic, and learn to rejoice in what the Lord has given you.
Expect bad days. Everyday is going to be different, that is one of the benefit of homeschooling. You do not just teach academic, you also teach the soul and heart, and with homeschooling you get to teach to the moment (one of the thing I love best about having the kids at home 24/7). Those odds days are always opportunities to learn and grow in different areas both for the parents and the kids.
Look for the small victories. There will be progress, this is certain. So look for those and rejoice in them, it will make the journey more enjoyable and worth it!
Pray for your homeschool and for your kids. This is obvious, but necessary. This is the heart of it. Without God's help and guidance it will be harder. But as we rely on Him for everything, from the enabling to the teaching, homeschooling becomes a true joy!
This whole week the crew is sharing tips on a plethora of topics, make sure to check them out. Here are 10 posts to get you rolling.Dawn @ Double O Farms
Dawn @ Guiding Light Homeschool
Debbie @ Debbie's Homeschool Corner
Desiree @ Our Homeschool Notebook
Diana @ Busy Homeschool Days
Diana @ Homeschool Review
Elyse @ Oiralinde: Eternal Song
Emilee @ Pea of Sweetness
Erin @ For Him and My Family
Jen @ Chestnut Grove Academy
In this Series:
Homeschooling Tips
Budget Tips
Family Fun Tips
Comments
Celebrating the small things are just as important as the big stuff. We celebrate getting one problem correct especially if it was a struggle area.