If you would have asked me one year ago if I would ever homeschool, my answer would have been a resounding “NO!…I would never do that!”…with much emphasis and much passion.
You see, I delivered four children within five and a half years, and my light at the end of the tunnel (for increasing independence and free time) was beginning to shine through….
- Mornings quiet and undisturbed
- Starbucks with a friend
- Reading in solitude
- Volunteering and increasing involvement at church
Oh, it was just around the corner…and then, after a series of circumstances…some external (like this), and some internal (like this)…came my BIG shift in perspective.
My oldest son, now 15…emerging as an independent guy, with him needing me less, and me wanting him more. And me remembering many moments I hadn’t seized with him and times I wish I could go back and do better…that I would be less tired, less irritable…and more engaged, and much more intentional.
And with these these little ones…my newest chance to engage…the years still ahead and full of potential.
But how to do that with such limited time with them?
- How to cultivate character, and teach them in the context of everyday moments, when our available moments together were strewn with overflowing homework and baseball schedules and here-too-soon nighttime routines?
- How to captivate these moments and make them matter while being be intentional in relationship-building?
And the answer that came to our family…Homeschool!
And today is our first day of our first year homeschooling!
- To instruct and train while customizing learning
- To train in righteousness and truth
- To talk about Him as we rise and we eat and we walk along the way
- To live life together, learning as we go
- To enjoy co-ops, and clubs, and sports, and activities in homework-free afternoons
- To learn to practice serving others together, and to practice loving beyond ourselves
And I am learning that I should never say never!
And our curriculum for 2011-2012…
4th grade
- History, Science, Art, & Bible
Taking a trip around the world, exploring diverse countries and ecosystems, while learning geography and being challenged by true stories of missionaries.Along with: Expedition Earth-Discovering God’s Animals
- English-Rod & Staff’s Building with Diligence with Intermediate Language Lessons
(until we decide which works better for us)
- Math–Math U See Gamma
- Writing–Writing Strands Level 3
- Typing–Typing Instructor
- PE/Clubs/Activities–EMH Sports, Weekly Co-Op, Amerigirls Club Scouts
- And considering adding Rosetta Stone Spanish…we’ll see…
2nd grade
- English-Rod & Staff’s Preparing to Build with Primary Language Lessons
(until we decide which works better for us)
- Writing–Writing Strands Level 2
- Typing–Typing Instructor
Kindergarten
- Mrs. Tucker’s Class-Todd Elementary School
(as we are breaking in this mama slowly…)
Pre-K
If you feel so inclined, I would covet your prayers!
May YOUR school year be blessed!
What is the best advice you would give this rookie homeschooler?
Have YOU ever considered homeschooling?
That’s so wonderful!!! I am a teacher, now tutor, if you ever have questions!!
Many blessings to you and enjoy!!
Brenda
Awww, thank you so very much!! Have a great day!
My girlfriend sent this link to me. I’m not sure why, maybe the Holy Spirit is speaking to her? I have three boys. This year they are in first grade, kindergarten (although only 4.5) and 18 months old. I have known I was going to homeschool for a few years now. This is our first “official” year (keeping records for the state) although we’ve been doing it since they were born!
My advise…don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You’ve already had kids in traditional “institutionalized schooling” and so your mind set is probably that you have to try to create a school at your home. You don’t! Homeschooling is a way of life, not just something you do. Don’t harp on busy work. The cool part of homeschooling is that once they’ve learned something and mastered it, you can move on! They don’t need to do worksheets after worksheets just to keep busy. And take the time to find awesome educational field trips, talk to other homeschool moms and make your quality time educational too. For us, we also include chores as part of our day. Dishes, trash, feeding animals, cleaning their rooms/bathrooms, vacuuming, etc. These are life skills and are a very important thing to include into your day. It helps a great deal because you won’t have as much time to do all this yourself. If you can afford a housekeeper once a month…do it, it could save your sanity.
I wish you all the best, you’re in for the ride of your life and you’ll never regret it!
congratulations and welcome to a whole new world! i’m guessing you’re gonna love it 🙂
we used MFW for several years, that particular year is a whole lot of fun, and my best advice is to give you and your kids the time you need to adjust and find your rhythm this first year. it’s a change for all of you, and while it may be exactly where God wants you, it may not always feel that way!!! remember to breathe (and frequently!), pray, and always, always, ENJOY! and when the day comes that you need to drop everything and just go play. . . you have permission 🙂
blessings,
steph
Hi! I am stopping by from the MFW Blogroll and co-hosting the My Father’s World Homeschool Highlights this school year with Kathi @ A Heart Like Water. This is where MFW families connect weekly, or as often as you like, to share what we are doing in our schools. The first one is Aug 25, the info is on my blog. I hope you join us!
Kattie
http://2ladybugsandalizard.blogspot.com/
ps: My advice to you (it’s only my second year…but I survived the first!) is to not worry about sticking to a time schedule….ex) from 9-9:30 math, 9:30-10…etc. Relax and enjoy this opportunity before you………and have fun together. Routine is great, but sticking to a time schedule, at least for us….eeeekkk….it caused unwanted stress and nagging (by me)! Now I think going into this year I am much more relaxed, so if your not now…..you will be. Trust your decision to homeschool, and don’t forget God is with you every step of the way! I hope you have a great year!
Hi,
I too am stopping by from the blog hop, and you’re blog has totally inspired me! We are in similar situations, as I will be having my 4th child in 8 weeks, which will be 4 in 5 1/2 years as well! It’s quite a ride, huh? My oldest is 4 1/2 and we are embarking on our first year of unofficial homeschooling as well. I am researching curriculum and love hearing what everyone has to say. I am scared, apprehensive, unconfident and mostly TIRED. I guess that happens when you’re pregnant and have a baby that’s 10 months, but I feel like only God can give me the strenth to DO this. Anyway, best of luck to you as you begin this sometimes very scary journey. I will check back so I hope you keep writing and chronicaling your journey. Feel free to check us out at http://justamomentintime2.blogspot.com
It’s nothing fancy, but something 🙂
Blessings-
Amy
Thanks for linking up, I hope you have a super fun year! And btw, I said I’d NEVER homeschool too ;o)
Erica
http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com
I said “I didn’t think I could homeschool either and now I see that I was made for it.” Not that it’s not hard but we have been so blessed and we’re well into our 5th year. Enjoy the time, it goes by fast.
I will be starting our homeschooling journey next year. I also have a 2nd grader and am trying to decide between PLL and R&S. I’m curious to know which of these you are enjoying best. Would you mind providing a little friendly advice?
Blessings!
Julie
This is so great… I need to find more Homeschooling Mommy’s! 🙂 We’re using Timberdoodle with our kids and love it! ~ Blessings, Amy