Posted in Homeschooling

Attend any event at which several homeschooling mothers gather, and the topic of curriculum will surely come up at some point in the conversation.

"What are you using for Math this year?"  "Oh, I used that, but I didn't like that.  This other program worked much better."  "Have you seen the new spelling program in all the homeschooling catalogs lately?"  "I just ordered it.  I can't wait till it comes and I can try it out."  "Do you use textbooks or unit studies for history?"  "Do you know of a good fourth grade science curriculum?"

Comparing notes on the tools of the trade is the natural tendency among homeschooling moms.  And for the most part, I think is a very productive activity.  I have found a couple of good products that way.  However, I think the unfortunate result of some of these discussions is discontent or a feeling of competition or even inadequacy.  We homeschooling moms are an insecure lot.  Most of us are plagued by what I call "Homeschooling Mommy Guilt."  We tend to compare ourselves with ourselves (or worse yet, with the "experts" in the public schools), and find ourselves falling short of our own expectations.  We often try to make up for our perceived inadequacies by searching for the perfect curriculum.  We think if only we could find just the right spelling program, our child could win the National Spelling Bee.  Or that the perfect writing program will help our child write the next great American novel.  Or that the Latin program we chose will bring out the hidden genius in our kids, and they will all become doctors, lawyers, and great orators (all at the same time, of course).

Aside from unrealistic expectations, I think the real danger is in all this comparing causing us to become discontent.  Let's face it, most curriculum isn't cheap, and since few of us are alloted the $8,000 (or more) per child per year that the public schools receive, and most homeschooling families operate on one income, we often have to pinch our pennies when it comes to what we choose for school books.  Often, when I have discussed curriculum in the past, I have found myself wishiing I could afford what some other family is using.  I used to wander around at homeschool conventions, longing for unlimited funds (and bookshelf space) to buy whatever caught my fancy.  Realistically, however, I am aware that even in twelve years of schooling, my children could never complete all the excellent curriculum available today.

I once heard a homeschool conference speaker refer to her problem with "curriculum buying disorder".  Many times, we buy something for homeschooling, believing it is the answer to all our homeschooling problems, and then find out that it just wasn't a good fit for our family and all the money we spent on it was wasted.  Often, we go through several different programs before we finally find one we really like.  While some trial and error is necessary in this area, I am finding that the longer I homeschool, the better I am at being able to gauge (before I buy) whether a certain product is right for my children or not.

It is fun to page through homeschool catalogs, dreaming of all the great things you could do with all those wonderful products.  There is a certain relief, though, in finding what works and sticking with it.  I've finally found a math program I really like, I've found a history curriculum I absolutely love (and that I can use with all of my children at the same time) that incorporates language arts and other liberal arts studies.  I've also found my favorite kindergarten program, which I have used successfully with 2 of my children so far.  The library is my best resource for science as I use nature study in the early years.  And I have found that the very best homeschool purchases have been good quality living books, ones that my children will treasure for years to come.  A home library made up of living books is the wisest homeschool investment we can possibly make.  And it doesn't take any special teacher training to snuggle up on the couch and enjoy a good book together.