It’s that time of year when homeschool parents everywhere are researching and buying, and worrying, and planning, and replanning. My husband spotted me making a list one night and asked me what I was doing. I explained that I was getting started on lesson planning. He said, “Honey, it’s summer, take the time and enjoy it!” As he left the room, I laughed to myself and when he returned, I explained to him that summer is when the teacher does the lesson planning so when the first day of school hits, we’re not panicking at the last minute wondering WHAT we’re going to do, and HOW we’re going to do it!
Last year was our first full year of homeschooling. My budget was extremely small, so I was utilizing all manner of FREE and LOW COST items I could find. I searched out websites with free downloads, I found workbooks at Dollar Tree, Walmart, purchased used curriculum from a FB group, and was blessed to become a member of a wonderful review group which has been SUCH a blessing. Not just for the items we’ve received, but the things I’ve learned and the online friends I’ve made.
When I first took my kids out of public school, my son had been in since Pre-K and was halfway through his Kindergarten year; my daughter was in Pre-K. I did like I do with anything I set out to do; close my eyes and jump in feet first. I didn’t know the first thing about planning – I’m STILL not an expert at it. Do we ever become experts? I just would gather some items for each day and try to get my kids to cooperate. I have to say, I think we had more not-so-good days than really-good-days. Some days I was ready to give up and put them back in public school, something none of us really wanted.
There were SO many days where I had such a time getting them to just complete one task, that I would give up and put everything away and call it a day. And yet, somehow, some way, they were still learning. Even on those bad days, when nothing seemed to be going right, they were still learning something. They would see something in a movie or on a show and ask a question, they would find a bug, or see a bird, and ask a question. They may not have been reading or doing math at college level, but they were still learning!
I also learned something, about myself that is. I learned that I CAN teach my children. Whether it’s by looking something up and explaining it to them when they have a question, or sitting and reading to them, or letting them help me in the kitchen, I’m teaching and they’re learning. And somehow, some way, the things they are learning, are sticking. In their little minds, somewhere, are the things they’ve learned this past year. They’ve even surprised their dad and I a couple of times by talking about something we didn’t even realize they knew.
This year we were gifted with some curriculum that is going to be a huge blessing. While I’ll still have to get the workbooks for it, just having what we have has allowed me to get started on lesson planning, and even though it was looking pretty iffy the other day, I was able to sit down and focus (a rarity around here it seems) and at least get the first 6 weeks planned.
So, my words to you are this, even on those days when you think it won’t work, that you’ll never be able to teach your children, that they aren’t learning and never will, you ARE teaching them. They ARE learning, and one day, when you least expect it, they will surprise you with what their little brains have retained. Then you’ll know, it has ALL been worth it.
Keep up the faith, Mom, you are not alone!
Alicia lives in Central Oklahoma with her husband, 7 1/2 year old son, 6 year old daughter, two cats and a dog. After working in the public forum for years, she became a SAHM in 2005, and started homeschooling her children in February of 2012. When not teaching her children, she enjoys quilting, sewing, crafts, gardening, cooking, baking, and reading. She became more active in blogging in the last year and is a member of The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew and Gabby Moms and reviews books for several Christian Publishing companies. You can find her blog at Walking In Faith, and on Facebook.
Excellent post! It’s great to hear that you’ve been able to scale the 1st year hurdles, and you’re ready for your next year. Homeschooling is an adventure, for sure!
I’m entering my 23rd year of homeschooling (did I just say that??!! That sounds incredible!!) and I’ve done everything from unschooling (not recommended) to BJU DVD school. This next year is going to be quite a challenge, as we’ve had a budget change…I’ll be looking for more inexpensive items, and some free.
But God is always good, and I’m sure it will be a great year, in spite of the fact that it is not necessarily how I would like it to be.
Regardless of our circumstances, we CAN homeschool!
Found you on MomstheWord.
Lisa
http://www.thecourageousjourney.com
Great post, Alicia! I had to chuckle about your husband’s comment. My family still does not quite understand why the time I take during summer break to do my planning is actually fun for me! But it does make all the difference in how our school year goes.
We’ve been blessed in similar ways over the years. Each year I gain more confidence that homeschooling is the right thing for our family.
Thanks for sharing with us!
Homeschooling has been a great blessing to our family. I love seeing other people being blessed as well. Curriculum is a huge expense, I’m so glad you were gifted some curriculum! Homeschooling is a year-round venture, even if you aren’t schooling in the summertime. Have fun planning! It’s actually my favorite part of it. Except when it’s overwhelming. Then that’s when I have to take breaks before my brain explodes.
Rochelle — http://www.rochellebarlow.com
I’ll be passing this post along to friends who are thinking about homeschooling for the first time – and those who question whether or not they should continue. Thanks for the encouragement!
I’m visiting from the Growing Home link-up! 🙂
Before I began homeschooling, I could have given you a dozen reasons why I could never teach my children. But eventually my excuses began wearing thin even with ME! Now I can’t imagine what our home and family would be like without homeschooling. It’s one of the hardest things I ever tried to do–and one of the most rewarding!
Excellent post – I can’t thank you enough for sharing it and linking up today. I love the way you share truth, but you do it with love and consideration of others.