Posted in Encouragement

• You don't have to bring school home.  When I started our "official" schooling, we had the desk, flag, whiteboard, letter strips, etc.  I quickly saw and felt how artificial that all was from what we had been doing naturally before "school" started at the magical age of 5!  After that first few weeks, up until now, we continue to learn all over the house!  My oldest is 15 and does choose to work at the table, his brother (13) prefers the couch (using a TV tray when doing his copywork and other writing), floor and bean bag chair in his room.
• I don't need to worry about what the kids in school are doing - the freedom to homeschool is the freedom to tailor each child's education, moving at THEIR pace, NOT the school system's.  I spent way too much time during those first few years worrying/comparing.  We were fairly relaxed and I knew we were doing it the right way for us, but that didn't keep me from fretting!
  
• You will make mistakes when purchasing curriculum, and it's okay!  With so many options available to us, it is important to prayerfully consider our purchases.  However, there will be times when you purchase books or resources that either don't "fit" your family/child or simply don't get used due to any number of reasons.  I've learned over the years to go easy on myself and I've seen how my mistakes have been able to bless others who are looking for that item I have just sitting on my shelf. 
  
• Don't feel guilty when you spend hours ready aloud.  I used to get mad at myself for allowing my boys to talk me into reading for hours, therefore not getting to all the "work" that needed to be done.  Now, these are my most treasured memories, AND my teens still enjoy listening to me read aloud.  Our favorite books these days are from Lamplighter Publishing :-)