Feb. 19, 2009 - The Process of Homeschooling

If you have homeschooled any length of time, you know that everyone has an opinion about it. Within the realm of homeschoolers, you'll find a broad spectrum of opinions on teaching and learning styles, curriculum choices and a myriad of other topics. What I have learned is that homeschooling is a process.

We started our homeschool journey when our first born was 5.  I suppose it could be argued that we homeschooled from birth but for the sake of a definition, the first books were ordered for her kindergarten year.  I have run the gamut from replicating a classroom to throwing caution to the wind and joining the ranks of the "unschoolers".   I discovered that neither one was a perfect fit.

Curriculum choices were the same. We tried the super-structured ones like A Beka and more relaxed ones like ACE. We've tried lapbooks and notebooking.  Nature studies and child led learning.  Each one had it's benefits but none met our every need.

After six years in this carnival of homeschooling, I have finally figured it out!  Homeschooling is a journey, it's a process, it is not a destination!  What might work one year, doesn't work the next.  What fits our lifestyle for a few months, suddenly changes and no longer works. It's trial and error. It's an adventure and one to be embraced with delight.  There's no room for fear in homeschooling. It only holds you hostage, paralyzing you into doing nothing and causing indecision.

For the first time since we started homeschooling, we have found a rhythm that works. Is it perfect? No.  But it leaves me with a deep feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment at the end of the day.  We're making measurable progress and learning to enjoy the process. 

Recently, I have been called "supermom" on more than one occasion. There is nothing super about me. I am just a mom that wants the absolute best for her children.  I want their hearts more than their minds.  I want their spirits to be pure and untainted from the world. I want them to learn for the simple joy of learning, not for a false sense of accomplishment. What is in a letter anyway?  I want to teach them character while building confidence in their God-given abilities.  I want this generation, the generation I'm raising to be better, more spiritual, more loving, more kind and closer to the Lord that the last. 

Homeschooling is a process. Like any process, it takes time to develop. Stop fighting it.  Take each day, one at a time and ask the Lord for wisdom. Ask him to guide you on your journey.  Let God's Word be your standard and you will not fail.

Joshua 1:8   This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

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Nov. 18, 2008 - Is your homeschooler "demented"?

Better go let Joy know because she thinks they are! And told the nation so! start watching at 6:45

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Nov. 14, 2008 - Daughter gives her first speech!

We had speech day in our homeschool group today.  My girls did not want to participate but on Monday, 1g10 changed her mind.  She wrote a speech on what she admires about the biblical character of Rebekah.  (the speech had to be on a Bible character)  Unfortunately, the girls have taken turns being sick this week and 2g6 woke up with 102* temp.  But the other two girls were able to go as we live right next door to our church and the building it was being held at.  My digital camera was able to capture 53 seconds of the speech. I'm just so proud of her.  So poised!  Learning is a struggle for her and for her to have taken this task upon herself....well, this mama is very thankful for the young lady she's becoming.  Watch for yourself :)

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