To stand on our online pedestal and say that homeschooling is easy would be a fabrication worthy of a Donald Trump tweet. It is tough. It is daunting. It is a lot of pressure. But it is also one of the most rewarding and exhilarating things you can ever experience as a parent. You are teaching them how to be successful in life, how to navigate the ups and downs and hurdles, and how to be passionate about the things they do.
Yes, there are curriculums you need to consider, how to be organized, and how to keep pushing them as they grow, all of which will come to you as you find your feet. However, finding your feet means getting off the ground, which is why we have compiled a list of our top tips, tricks and bits of advice to help you get started.
Know The Rules
Every state has different rules regarding homeschooling. Some may require a little bit of hoop jumping and some may ask you to just sign something. The great news is, all of them will provide you with a benchmark for what your kid should be achieving at their age. Very helpful.
Do Your Research
The more you know, the more your kid will learn. Take courses, attend seminars, look at ways to learn English quickly or Math harmlessly. See what other teaching philosophies are out there to see which suits you and your child more. The more educated you are the more customized you can make your program.
Get Outside
It doesn’t so matter what you are doing, just so long as you are getting outside and breathing fresh air. Tennis, gardening, studying insects, going on treasure hunts by geocaching, or anything you like should be considered. One of the most engaging ways to learn is through stimulation, and that’s what the great outdoors offers.
Always Be Positive
You are their parent as well as their teacher, and that means they are going to reflect your mood more than anything. So get into the habit of affecting your mood positively to keep their focus. If you’re distracted or grumpy, they will be too. If you are engaged and excited, then their learning will be also.
Get Creative
It can be too easy to think you can’t do something or go somewhere because your children are too young or you can’t justify the expense. Don’t let this stop you. Whatever you are hoping to do, do it now and do what you can with your budget. It is all about getting creative with your ideas.
Let Them Explore
So long as you have provided a safe place for them, let them explore their curiosities. Let them use their imaginations. Let them make mistakes. Encourage them to be the independent, curious, and brave little people we are all born to be. Know when to pull on the reins a bit, but don’t do it too often.
Love Comes First
Whatever your reasons for homeschooling, love was surely mixed in. Always remember that in everything you do. Don’t get frustrated if they can’t finish their English homework, encourage them to keep trying. Don’t scream at them for not being a born scientist; we are all different. The one approach that will prevail above all others is love.
Talk to me in the comments, please:
What is one piece of sage homeschool advice you feel should have been?
Wow! Thanks for this, I was so encouraged reading your advice. We are starting our first year of home schooling in just a few weeks!
Your reminder to do everything in love is so key!
I found your link through the mommy momments link up on the life of faith blog!
Funny, but I think the most valuable thing you shared was the acknowledgement of how hard homeschooling can be. I’m entering year 18 and am down to only one student these days, but even so, it is a significant time commitment and the planning is already beginning. I’ve been very thankful for the privilege of investing in my kids in this way, so even though it is difficult, it is a good choice.
Michele Morin recently posted…Declaration of Dependence
I think homeschooling would be a huge undertaking and really admire those parents who give it a try. You have provided some great advice here.
Know that every day you get to start over. Homeschooling can be tremendously rewarding but I think it’s important
to not get down when you have a rubbish day!
#TwinklyTuesday
Super tips! We learn everywhere even when our lot have learning difficulties – it’s just about being engaging! #twinklytuesday
I homeschooled my child until he was 9. It was hands down the hardest job I have ever done. I don’t have the energy to go it again with my toddler! Luckily she is a totally different child who I think will thrive at school.
Crystal, I am so glad you shared at the #glimpses in link up. I’ve been homeschool my son for about 2 years now. He will be in 9th grade in the fall and we are taking a break while he does independent study through a local public school charter. I hope to homeschool again soon. What makes my situation unique is that I work a full-time job, outside the home, 40 hours a week. One thing I love about homeschooling in our state of California is ow flexible we can be with our schedule. We have to think outside the box a lot, but it works. Thanks again for stopping by. I hope to see you again soon.
Great advise, thanks for sharing. Don’t forget to come link up on A Labour of Fashion. Would love to have you join us
Some great advice here. I am way too scared to home school, I think the pressure (like you say) is high and I really wouldn’t want to get it wrong. Hats off to you lovey. Thanks for joining us at #familyfun
Crystal I always know your posts are going to be good and I was right 😉 Great advice and like Michele mentioned, knowing it is hard and doing it anyway with love is so important. #Blogger’s Pit Stop
Jen | Practical, By Default recently posted…Why This Homeschool Planner Is Awesome For A Working Mom
Great tips for someone considering the home school option! Thanks for sharing on The Blogger’s Pit Stop! Roseann from http://www.thisautoimmunelife.com
So much respect for you and all the other women who choose to homeschool. I would probably go crazy. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
Leslie recently posted…When you see this toddler’s room, you’ll be in love
What an interesting piece – I am just in awe of parents who homeschool and think there must be so much to benefit from being at home with them. Thank you for linking up to #dreamteam. X
There are many benefits for sure. I wouldn’t trade it. I know my kids wouldn’t either because I’ve offered them the chance to do that and they are quick to say NO.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you again soon. Thank you for hosting a great linky party.
That is quite possibly the best opening line for a blog post ever! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday at Mommynificent.com this week!
Tina
Great tips Crystal! I don’t homeschool, but I admire parents like you that do.
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For me the one piece of sage school advice that I feel should have when I was kid was to get outside and be creative. When I was young my parents sometime restrict me from going outside and doing less sports in which I was in love when I was kid back then. But now it’s too late and sometimes I think back and wonder why my childhood was like that but I have no regrets. Anyways, thanks for sharing another great article here Crystal! Been a fan of your blog ever since. Keep sharing!
Kathleen Calado recently posted…Teaching Resilience to Kids
Hi Crystal – from what I’ve seen and heard kids that are homes schooled need to get to go out to other events and socialize with peers as well. But that may be redundant me bring that up as I’d imagine the parents doing so already have taken that into account, perhaps.
At any rate, my friends who teach their kids at home didn’t quite tell me it was so much work. So now I have even *more* respect for it!
Thanks.
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