Back to School

It’s that time again, public schools are going back to school and we’re left feeling like we need to mimic that at home. You totally can if you want to, but if you don’t want to feel the pressure of it all, it’s okay! You don’t need to answer all the questions that put doubt in your head.

Everyone’s homeschool is going to look different.

Our days tend to ebb and flow by what the weather is doing. If it’s a beautiful day, I’m definitely not going to be sitting around doing bookwork. The workbooks can be done when it’s hot, cold, rainy, and dark. Maybe you have one child that likes to wake up early and get things done. I have one! I set him up with a backpack or basket of things he can do independently and he does because he prefers to do it that way. I have another child who likes to wake up later, ease into chores and she doesn’t typically get work done until late afternoon, early evening when her brain is ready to focus. That’s okay too!

When people ask you what you do, most of the time it comes from a place of curiosity and just not understanding. Sometimes they truly want to learn more and it’s an opportunity to share your testimony. But once in awhile, you’ll get that cranky person who thinks you’re whack. It’s okay to set a boundary and not feel like you need to go into detail. Remember that “No.” is a sentence.

This is my biggest one. When we first started out, man we hit that bookwork HARD. We got so burnt out halfway through that year. When I stopped filling them with everything I thought they had to know at certain ages, they explored and learned so much more. We read so many books and they were retaining information that they were interested in. It’s the same concept of when adults want to learn. What do we do when we want to find out more about a subject or do continuing education for our career? We search the internet, take an online class, we go on YouTube to find a how to video, and then we apply it with our hands and do the work.

Parents. You are in charge. Nobody else loves your children more than you do. Yahuah has given you those specific children to train up in the Way that they should go. You know best.

It can be triggering to scroll through social media and see everyone else’s beautifully curated school rooms and children sitting down peacefully to do these lessons they planned out. You instantly have FOMO (fear of missing out). Maybe you have difficulty wanting to keep up with the family in your co-op because they “have it all together”. Possibly your nephew is the same age as your son in public school and they’re comparing notes of what they’re learning and you’re suddenly feeling inadequate. Do not let it get to you. If your child is thriving and you see different ways of growth, then don’t panic.

We absolutely adore curriculums. I actually am quite fond of many of them. The problem is they’re beautiful and enticing and then get a little bit overwhelming after sucking me in and paying a lot of money. We’ve found that simple resources like living books are best for us in this season of life. I’ve also gained enough confidence in seeing the end goal of where we want our children to be at the end of their home education.

Here are a few books that you might find encouraging. I know there are many podcasts as well and if you have any suggestions, could you put them in the comments?

Remember that little boys were not meant to sit for hours a day. If you can get children to sit for 5-10 minutes at a time, you’re doing well. I also have found that using manipulatives of any kind to help them with hands on counting math is great for focusing. Before you sit down to read, set them up with something to fidget with that isn’t too distracting. They’ll actually retain more information when they’re using their hands.

We hope this was helpful and would love to share more in the future. Shalum!