20 Years of Homeschooling a Houseful

31 August 2006

The Perfect Curriculum

Homeschoolers today face an array of curriculum choices that are nearly mind-boggling to veteran homeschoolers like me. I recently received a catalog that was bigger than a phone book. Larger, certainly, than all of my curriculum catalogs combined during those first few years. You could spend the whole year just planning a great program, and never have time to get around to teaching it!

I've never been able to pinpoint exactly why it is that we put so much effort into our curriculum choices. Of course, much of it is because we love our children dearly and want what's best for them. But, I would speculate that when we start drawing up our 10-year plans (that include even our "potential" family additions), we do it just because it's fun to dream.

The biggest problem with overly specific long-range plans, is that life circumstances change. Your homeschool, like your family, is in a state of flux. What works best for your size family, your ages of children, your learning styles, your budget, your spiritual foundations, your special needs child, etc...may not be right for mine. The best curriculum is the one that is right for your family. Beware of anyone who hawks the "one size fits all" program.

That is what sets my homeschool consulting apart. Most free consulting services are set in place to sell you their curriculum (which is why they are not really "free). I'm able to recommend exactly what suits your family at one particular stage in your life. That could range from a Bible and a library card, to a full-fledged program complete with bells and whistles galore.

The first step in choosing a program is to seek the Lord concerning His will for your family. Consult your husband next. Even if he isn't involved in the day-to-day operation of schooling, God gives him wisdom and insight into the needs of your children that mom is sometimes "too close" to recognize. If you still need assistance, consider a homeschool consulting service like mine. If doubts remain...just begin someplace and stop overthinking your options.

I know many of you have heard me say this time and again....but I'm still at it...the perfect curriculum is the one that gets used!

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About Me

When I was a young mother and homeschooler over 20 years ago, I searched for a mother of many as a mentor. I found a few women along the way that helped me with parenting, but I was blazing my own trail for the most part with homeschooling. I see now how God used that situation to draw me closer to Him. It also forced me to develop my own vision and legacy of homeschooling, rather than simply copying the plans of another. Other than simple teaching experience, I have been mostly heavily influenced by the philosophies of Charlotte Mason and Thomas Jefferson Education (Oliver DeMille). I have read extensively about all kinds of homeschooling, and have enjoyed or endured brief forays into other methods. Later, as more books were available, and especially when I went online in 1993, many doors for fellowship and sharing ideas were opened. Now that I have moved into a new stage of mothering (no babies or toddlers, children moving out and marrying), I wanted to capture some of those things I most wished I had known when I had a houseful of small children. I want to encourage other moms to "stay the course". I have never regretted these years spent homeschooling. It was the best decision I have ever made. I now know that choosing a philosophy and curriculum need not be the basis for educating my children. God gives the vision, and we just need to get out of the boat and start walking toward Him.