5 Reasons Why I AM Digging This Homeschool Life and 5 Reasons Why I am NOT. (Part 2)
Confessions of a New Homeschooler
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REPOST- Originally PUBLISHED ON February 5, 2015, simplewithatwistblog.com
Revisiting my old homeschooling list after 8 years, I see big changes in the world and my own journey. The original post captured my early experiences as I entered homeschooling. Now, with more experience, I can tell if those realities were unique to me or part of the broader homeschooling scene.
Looking back, the list served as a helpful guide, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs that accompanied my initiation into homeschooling. It captured the essence of those initial years, the moments of self-doubt, the joy of witnessing my child's progress, and the unforeseen obstacles that came our way. Several of those realities, I now realize, were indeed specific to my role as a new homeschooler.
On the other hand, many of the realities described in the original list continue to stand firm, even after eight years. The flexibility and adaptability of homeschooling, for instance, have remained constant fixtures in our homeschooling journey. The ability to tailor our curriculum, adjust the pace of learning, and explore topics of interest still proves to be one of the greatest advantages of homeschooling. It seems this aspect is not limited to just the early years, but rather an integral part of the broader homeschool landscape.
Through this journey, I have learned that homeschooling is a dynamic and evolving endeavor, subject to change and adaptation.
This marks my mid-year assessment of homeschooling my 5 and 3-year-old sons during their first year. If you've landed on this post without reading Part One, titled '5 Reasons Why I'm Digging this Homeschool Life,' you can catch up by clicking here.
A 27-hour road trip, regardless of how much you prepare, will have its good and bad and even ugly moments. Stretches of one road can have an amazing view while another stretch along that same road becomes isolated and uninteresting. Well, this is the stretch of homeschooling that turns a beautiful scenic road trip with a friend into a pain in the butt.
5 REASONS WHY HOMESCHOOLING IS A TEST OF ENDURANCE.
1. THE FREEDOM: WHAT FREEDOM?!
I can remember after having my second child and becoming a “stay at home”, sneaking away to a quiet empty bedroom just to hold onto a thought. I remember thinking how unnatural it is to never have a moment to yourself. Well, welcome to homeschooling. Non-stop action and noise. Once my sons’ heads hit their beds, I tell them Mommy is off duty. I will be available for cups of water and long-winded questions about birthdays in the morning. Although they are amused by this declaration, it’s my feeble attempt to carve out time to myself.
TODAY: The freedom I discussed 8 years ago was associated with the average mom-to-toddler invasion of privacy and loss of personal time. Of course, that changed as I learned to make time for myself away from the kids through mandatory quiet times and naps. They are pre-teens and teens now. Guess what? I miss the moments that once irked me. Go Figure.
2. FLEXIBILITY IS NECESSARY WHETHER YOU WANT TO BE FLEXIBLE OR NOT
It’s home-school. My home now has a dual function and the lines are easily blurred. Things do not always go according to well-prepared, thought-out, brilliant plans. Besides being kids, they are MY kids. Instead of a teacher, they see their mommy which means I get tested in ways a stranger may not. They see their toys, their kitchen, their food. And yes, all of those things are tools for everyday learning. Yet, distractions abound. Because of the home dynamic, I have to make room for adjustments to take place moment by moment, lesson by lesson. Let’s not mention the younger sibling, in my case, the preschooler, who subverts all lesson plans longer than 5 minutes.
TODAY: Yes, flexibility is a must then and now. I learned to lighten up and roll with things a lot more. I adjusted my expectations and began to appreciate the moments. The fears that stoked my feelings have proven to be wrong. They know how to read, write, and count despite what I thought were “distractions.”
3. THE COMMUNITY OF OPINIONS, IDEAS AND ADVICE CAN BE OVERWHELMING.
I love to read about other homeschooler’s experiences but I have had to narrow my daily or weekly intake to 2 to 3 bloggers that fit into my homeschool model. I branch out to the others when I need to research something in particular. It’s easier on my brain that way.
TODAY: This is wisdom I continue to live by.
4. PERSONAL GROWTH: EDUCATION IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER.
The word “school” has become a reason to “hem and haw” even from the comfort of one’s pajamas in one’s home. I made the error of associating “school” with sitting down and being still to a child who can barely sit still in his sleep. He is turned off by the “school” part as a result. I set out to inspire a love for learning and may have done the opposite in my first 6 months. UGH!
A friend asked my son during a park visit, what part of school he liked most. My 5 year old’s response was a stunner. He said, “The part when it’s over”. Incredulous! Yes, I took it personally. That’s the downside. There is no one else to blame. It’s all me. I am his teacher. I am solely responsible for how he views school. I wonder often how to engage my sons creatively while still personally trying to break free from the traditional school structure I’ve grown up with.
I have yet to crack the code on what will make their home education more exciting and inciting. I also grapple with the idea that every part of school will be fun and games. Part of a full education is understanding some things are tedious but must be done. Right? Although I want my son to wake up each morning excited to practice piano and to take on reading lessons in the ways that I present it, I know I have some work to do in this area. My approach, experience, educational goals, my son’s personality, and the circumstances surrounding his discontent are always under evaluation.
TODAY: GET OUT YOUR FEELINGS, GIRL!
This experience has been incredibly eye-opening, especially with my 5-year-old, who is now 14. He still isn't particularly fond of “school”; instead, he craves "fun", and hands-on engagement and is motivated by reward. Recognizing his preference for interactive learning, I shifted my approach. Rather than trying to make lessons exciting, I tailored the curriculum to suit his and his brother’s personalities and interests.
I began crafting a curriculum of my own that emphasizes movement and hands-on activities. Presently, my 14-year-old starts his day early, engaging in workouts and runs with his dad, and he's actively participating in a demanding deputy training program. Plays the piano on the worship team. He's also building and growing his own YouTube channel, and impressively, he used the earnings from a summer job at the Boys and Girls Club to build a computer. He likes what he likes and that is not necessarily personal to me.
5. SPIRITUAL GROWTH: A BATTLE ZONE.
The burden of raising children can be daunting by itself. Then to take on homeschooling too, in a land where traditional school is often hailed by the majority as the best and only option, is doubly intimidating. Yet, here I am. Self-doubt and all. Fears come a’ knocking quite a bit trying to poke holes in my confidence. Am I doing enough?
Despite the onslaught of attack on me, my children, and my husband, I have to labor to rest in a God that I believe equipped us to pour into our son’s lives and train them up despite our shortcomings. They will be just fine– better than fine. Like most promising investments, we will just have to wait until they mature to see a fruitful return.
TODAY: I still wonder if I am doing enough. It comes in waves and is often the result of misguided expectations or new stages (puberty, High School). The remedy to this has been focus and resolve. Practice embracing the idea that life is the ultimate teacher and I am resolved to give my all to this decision. All things considered, we are all doing fine.
I imagine most of this list is first-year problems.
First-year or twenty-first-year, what has been a constant test of endurance on your homeschool journey?
As a homeschooling mom for more than 9 years, I have created most of the curriculum for my boys, who are now in 7th and 9th grade. I am excited to share my curriculum ideas through my blog, workbooks, guides, and workshops. Join The Home Educator’s Hub to learn how to develop your own unique curriculum in our free Curriculum Development Course.
I offer both free and paid resources, as well as curriculum ideas, in the areas of English Language Arts, Performing Arts, Biblical Studies, History, and High School Planning. You can find my store through the link provided and stay in touch with me through my website or Instagram.