I know we have home edders from all walks who read this blog. Some use traditional homeschooling methods, textbooks,workbooks, living books, unit studies and distance learning courses. Others use more unschooling or autonomous methods of learning. Whatever your method of learning, you probably use some books at some time.

   I know this is more of a danger for those of us who use more traditional methods, but 'Who exactly is in charge in your homeschool?'

   I have met many home edders who are being controlled by a book, a workbook or by the pounds they spent on a particular curriculum! Let me explain.

   If your child is using a maths book and they fully understand the new concept after one page, do you make them do all of the other 5 pages in that lesson? Or do you let them do just one more to make sure and then move on?

   I can hear the protests already! 'But the 'professional' who wrote the book says it takes 6 pages of review for the concept to get into my childs brain.' Has that so called 'professional' ever met your child? Who knows your child better, you or some faceless 'professional'? I would like to pose the idea that when it comes to your child you are the greatest authority on what is best for them!

   You have been with your child since the moment they were born (and for Mums - even 9 months before that!). You have taught them to crawl, walk, talk, eat, ride a bike, tie their shoes, dress themselves, well, you get the point! So, I would think you would be the best person to know when they have 'grasped' a concept, dont' you?

   Now for the argument of the 'Almighty pound'! I can hear some saying 'But we paid good money for that book and it was expensive. How can we throw it away with only half the pages used?' I would like to point out that if you child has learned what you were trying to teach them using that book, then you have had your money's worth out of it whether you used every page or not.

   At the end of the day, it is a question of whether you are in charge of your homeschool or is the book in charge? Curriculum can be a wonderful tool in our homeschools. But it is only that, at tool. It is not the master! It doesn't tell you how to run your classroom or your learning time. You simply use it to accomplish what you want to teach your children!

   On the same vein, can I suggest that if you buy a book or curriculum and it isnt' working for your child - AT ALL - then be brave enough to throw it out the window! I have one friend who regaled us with tales of doing just that! Her daughter found a particular language course confusing and it made her feel stupid. So after trying several different ways to approach the book, this friend of mine simply stood up, opened the front door and literally threw the book out and slammed the door!

   This may seem a little dramatic to some, but it certainly showed her daughter that she was more important to her mother than the book she had paid good money for! That little girl gained confidence and is steadily learning with a different system. All because her mother was brave enough to 'throw the book out'!

   I'm not suggesting that we throw books that aren't working in the bin. But maybe it is a better use of them to sell them on to someone who they will suit better and find another book, or system that will work for your child.

   Be encouraged. You are the best teacher for your child! You are the one who knows them best.And you are the one who is in charge in your homeschool, classroom, learning time or home, whatever you like to call it. Let the wonderful books and curriculums that are out there be  tools to make your job easier, not burdens to make you dread the next day! - Deedee