Recently my sister in law asked some questions about educating her two year old.  They haven't decided to homeschool.  I did say as I say to everyone never say never.  You don't know what is up the road. 

 

I want to share with you some of the advice I have received over the years from my mentor moms. I've added some things along the way. 
 

Discipline comes before academics.  After four kids this is still a huge struggle for me.  To some parents it comes more naturally.   My goal has always been to raise self governed independent life long learners and discipline in behavior as well as control of their areas of responsibility is essential.  

 

Children MUST have chores.   When we do it all we are telling our kids they are not capeable.    Besides they need to know how to take care of a home regardless of their gender. 

 

Character training is a MUST.  There are some great sites with lists and stories of good character.  Making sure you use these words in everyday conversation and that your family holds them high is all the teaching a two year old needs on character. 

 

READ READ READ READ.  Read to them.  Everyday. 

Take it easy.  Learning should be enjoyable.  Go at the child's pace. I would concentrate on discipline and character training before kindergarten instead of academics.  A two year old may be capeable of naming all the foreign capitals, but is there something more profitable she could be learning?  Like playing well with others, learning forgiveness, love, caring for those who are less fortunate, reading together and playing games.  

 

With academics and small children you can do too much too fast and ruin a few years.  This is called burnout.  There are two great books about Burnout.  The first is by the Moore's its titled Avoiding HomeSchool Burnout. The second is "The Hurried Child Growing up too fast too soon." by David Elkind.

After homeschooling for 7 years I've seen many a mom and many a kid suffer from burnout. It is very real and it mostly comes from overinflated expectations of the parents.   Sometimes because they were trying to prove or impress someone, like in-laws.  Not out of genuine parenting of their specific child.  A book that has helped me focus on a correct vision of raising kids has been "Shepherding A Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp.   The parent usually gets over the burnout long before the child does. 

 

Rarely is a child advantaged by early academic learning.  It makes the parent look good, but doesn't always give the child an advantage.    Often it harms the child.  Look to those who have a long history with much success with happy healthy children.   A Montessori situation that exposes but doesnt expect mastery is a good model. 

Learning is about exposure. 

 

You must also think about why you wish to homeschool.  Take some notes.  Pros and cons. 

 

Finding a group you can be straight with about sharing your failures as well as the glory is a nice group to have.  You are not alone in your parenting concerns.  Keep asking questions. 

 

I recently heard "Don't compare your inside to someone else's outside."  And remember that even the people you think are perfect are intimidated by someone.  :) 

 

 

 

Our children have so many advantages when we homeschool.  Often we don't see all the positives and judge them too harshly when they do fail, or criticize them when they aren't ready for a certain concept.  We don't have other kids in a class to compare them to, so we push them too hard.  We often expect perfection in everything, which is ridiculous. Watch for this especially with bright children.  Having a good friend who is on the same path and even a little ahead on that path who you can honestly ask "How do you think my kid is doing?" is a great resource.  

 

We need to look at teaching as presenting ideas and not be discouraged when the child doesn't get it the first, second, or third time we introduce it.   Our job is to present.  If they don't get it they will have another opportunity.  We should show no emotions over it.  (This gets easier.)

 

Learning to separate our feelings and fears of homeschooling is another lesson. 

 

I would look at this time before she starts kindergarten as a time to self educate yourself.  I would read Debra Bells book, any of the books by the Moore's, http://www.homeschoolmarketplace.com/ANGELMAIN.HTM, this is a book titled "I Saw the Angel in the Marble" which gets to the heart of why and how to homeschool.  Figuring out what your style and motivation for home educating will help to make the many decisions like picking out curriculum easier.  

 

Home schooling has helped me to be a calmer more patient human.  It scares me to think how much more self centered I would be if I had never homeschooled.  Homeschooling has been more about me being a better person. 

 

When I first started I was embarrassed by my immaturity and thought I would never measure up to the other mothers.  They were so calm and their children were obedient kind and sweet.  But I hadnt realized that a few years back they were as immature as me and their children were raised by immature women who were growing into maturity.  It's a journey. My kids are benefitting from my journey. 

 

It has been the biggest blessing in my life to watch my kids grow and learn.  It will change your life in ways you didn't know existed.    Not to mention that Im getting an education.  I was filling out a form yesterday it said "Education (blank) " my first reaction was "some college" then I realized what had impressed more on me,  I giggeled as I thought "Homeschooling my children." 

 

There is more I would like to share but I have to stop for now.

 

Candace