Feeling excited and at peace with your decision, you start to gather resources, plan field trips and set up your home to be a haven where children fall in love with learning.
Even your children are excited! They start to dig into their History lessons, craft projects, and even fill their spare moments with exploring, self-directed learning, and fun, imaginative play.

Then “that day” comes!

That day where hour upon hour nothing seems to go right…nothing! Not only that, you can see it snowballing to the point where you know it is going to take you off track.
Those challenging days, whether they be a few in a row, or scattered throughout a semester, are heavy.
If we don’t have a great support system in place, that heavy feeling can open the door for doubt, fear and worry to take a firm grip of our hearts and minds.

Homeschool Fear, Worry and Doubt

The Truth You Need to Know

Truth is, you are brave and resilient enough to deal with these days!

You proved that the day you decided to go against the grain and homeschool. You also proved that during those seemingly normal and regular days of parenting! Parenting is hard work, but also abundantly rewarding!

The other truth is that if you are feeling a little short on resilience, you can decide to take the steps to find it. Homeschooling does afford you some flexibility to change things up, so take advantage of that when you are feeling weary. Dedicate some time for you to find your groove again!

“…decide…whether or not the goal is worth the risks involved. If it is, stop worrying…” ~Amelia Earhart

Prayer and Meditation

Never dismiss the power of grace!

God is so good that He gives us grace in the simplest of things if we are willing to see and accept it. We just need to be still long enough to recognize it. So, make quiet time, even if it is just a few minutes scattered through your day, a priority.

It has been proven, through MRI, that prayer and meditation actually has an affect on the grey matter of our brains. (Check out this article “Eight Weeks to a Better Brain”.)

Being still and quiet can be a challenge, and something we should work on in this age of busyness. If we tend to ‘pray on the run’, while that is fine, we also run the risk of missing all the extra little gifts of grace God is bestowing upon us and our families as we rush about the day.

We need to invest in ourselves and set aside some time everyday to meditate or pray.

When we are feeling stifled by the fear, worry and doubt it is a cue to slow down and recall why we are on this homeschool journey and to also know we are not alone. It might be time to reach out to those who can help build you back up again.  HSLDA has a link for support groups in your area, so reach out and make a connection.

No matter how brave or strong any of us are, we all have a time when we need encouragement.

Even those who lead your support group, or the ones who are your cheerleaders…we all have days where we need a boost from time to time. To know others have walked this path, to share stories of success, trials and even stories of our seemingly bland – boring days; it all goes a long way to encourage other homeschooling parents.

Especially on those days where our legs are shaky!

Be Gracious – Be Courteous – Be Genuine – Be Humble – Be Kind – Be Brave

Let’s build each other up and kick fear, worry and doubt to the curb!

Questions about curriculum are some of the most common, perhaps even running neck-and-neck with the ‘socialization’ question.

A vast array of amazing curriculum  exists to support you in this journey, no matter what method(s) you use or special needs you may need to address.

We have options!

In fact, it can sometimes feel like there are too many choices and you can feel overwhelmed.

Homeschool Curriculum

 (Remember the first homeschool convention you went to and the vendor hall? There is a lot!)

You don’t have to feel paralyzed when it comes to sorting through and choosing your curriculum.

Take Action

• Grab your pencil and notepad – Make a Pro/Con list

• Ask for sample lessons

• Ask fellow homeschool families what they use

Once you discover some of what is available to you and you start to browse and research, it can help if you keep these things in mind.

 Be Mindful of:

• Who is it for

• What is their learning style

• Will the curriculum support their learning style

• Will it span the ages of your children, or do you care if it does

• Will it help you achieve your end goal for your child(ren)

• Can you photocopy pages for use within your own family (check with publisher) “Homeschoolers Honor Copyright” (from iHomeschool Network)

• How will it fit into your schedule

• Can you easily adapt lessons for more than one child

• Is it available as a download

• Will it support your method of homeschooling  “8 Homeschooling Methods“

• Will this help fuel the love of learning within your children

• Do you even need a curriculum to educate your child that particular subject

Truth is, as homeschool parents we can have many different levels of feeling overwhelmed when it comes to choosing curriculum for our children.

We can feel both blessed and cursed by the sea of books available to choose from.  One of the most common questions I hear about curriculum is:

“What if it doesn’t work, what if I buy it and never really use it?”

And you know what?  We have all been there, and done that!

From those who unschool to those who follow a more aligned path (meaning very much like the curriculum of local schools) we have all bought something we thought would be great, which turned out to sit on the shelf.

We have all held onto those resources and tried it with all our children, some of us get to finally use it and some of us end up writing it off completely.

As much as we plan we also have to be ready for the detours and sideroads.  

A purchased curriculum which turns out not to be exactly what you needed doesn’t always have to be tossed aside.  Instead you can adapt the lessons or at minimum use them as a guide to help plan a study.  You can then head out to the library for books,  find some hands on activities, or search for some YouTube videos to support what you are teaching.  

Remember

• Break down your subjects and your goals for each child within that subject

• Get to know your child’s strengths and weaknesses

• Foster a love of learning

• Support your child’s curiosity, creativity and intelligence

• Have fun and be flexible

Homeschooling is not a contest, it is not a race and there are no “curriculum police“.

You are blessed with the freedom to choose, adapt and change if necessary.

Tip for Choosing Homeschool Curriculum

For a peek into what we have been reading or using check out my  Reading List page; Resources page; and my STEM Resources page.

Ok, your turn…

Share 1 tip about choosing curriculum to help encourage and support your fellow homeschooler!

Surviving a Home School Conference

Home School Conferences are an amazing time to reaffirm your commitment to homeschooling.

Let’s face it some years, months or days can be difficult to get through.  Challenges can sometimes leave us feeling tired and weary.  We all need a plan of different actionable tasks to keep us on course, energized and prepared as we ride the ebb and flow of our homeschooling lives.

One part of my action plan is to attend the local Home School Conference.

It is a time  for me to get out, to reconnect and feed my homeschooling vision.  Conference has always left me with a renewed energy and excitement.

 Home School Conference Provides You With:

• A chance to connect and re-connect with other home school families.

• A chance to meet with your local home school board and their office staff.

• A chance to look through and get your hands on some amazing curriculum.

• A chance to take in some great seminars and keynote speakers.

• A chance to look at and learn about some great games.

• A chance to network and reach out to some newbie homeschoolers.

I try to go to conference every year, but admit  there have been times where I have taken a year off.

Although I may feel like I don’t need to go every year, as I may not be needing any curriculum etc., I do notice a difference in my energy level whenever I have skipped attending a conference.

There is something to be said about connecting with those you may only have a chance to talk with via chat rooms or social media.  The smiling faces and the hugs, the shared cups of coffee as you encourage one another  sharing your joys and maybe even troubles.

Keynote speakers are there to encourage you and cheer you on.  They share their own  personal journey, all the ups and downs, the happy and sometimes sad times; the great speakers are those who share from their heart.  There is no mistaking their genuine feelings of wanting to help and encourage you, it is contagious and you cannot help but grow from that experience!

As great and awesome as conference can be, it can also leave you exhausted and somewhat bewildered.  Here are some tips to survival  I have learned along the way.

Tips to Survive a Homeschool Conference

14 Tips to Survive Home School Conference:

1. Wear comfortable shoes,  even take an extra pair to change into half way through the day.

2. Take a back pack, or even a rolling suitcase to carry all your books/games/curriculum you purchase.

3. Don’t forget to hydrate! Take a bottle of water.  Also step outside from time to time to get fresh air.

4. Pack a lunch or some small healthy snacks to keep up your energy.

5. Spend a few moments the night before to read through the schedule and highlight any seminars that are an absolute for you to attend.  Plan your shopping and visiting around those keynote speakers.

6. A few days prior to conference take a bit of time to research some of your top picks for any curriculum or materials you may need.  Make a list of your Must Have purchases and another list for products or materials you need to take a closer look at.

7. I like to make my Must Have purchases right away, this helps me to feel at ease knowing I have not forgotten any essentials and clears my mind allowing me to focus on any sessions I want to get to; as well as any curriculum I may need to further research.

8. If you are feeling lost and worry starts to creep in, it is time to reach out to some veteran homeschoolers and get some advice. I also recommend getting outside away from it all for 5 minutes, it does you a world of good.

9. If you really are not sure about a product, it is probably best to keep it on your list and not in your home.  If later on you decide it is something you need,  you can always order.  Yes you have to pay shipping, but sometimes that is a good trade off v.s. making a panic purchase and never using that resource.

10. Take notes, I love going home and reading over what was shared and often speakers share so much that taking notes helps keep all the important points handy.

11. Don’t stress out about curriculum.  Instead go home with some great games and great novels to read aloud to your children.  I found some great historically accurate fiction novels this year.  The kids love them and are learning so much!  Again looking back to tip #9…you can always mail order the curriculum at a later date.

12. Step out of your comfort zone and open your mind to look at different curriculum, books, or methods of homeschooling.

13. Make it a point to meet someone new, it is fun!  Network and build up your own support system.

14. Have fun!  This is a time for your personal development and for you to take it all in and re-energize.

This past year conference was amazing and although exhausted from all the walking, talking and shopping I squeezed into 2 days, I came home  full of  so much positive energy!  I made some great purchases including some new games, amazing living books, and our math books for fall.

My excitement was contagious, the kids dove into their new books with an eagerness that had honestly been lacking for a little while.

Home School Conference is a great time to re-group, re-energize, re-connect and make new contacts; it is also a time of renewal, self growth and we must not forget the shopping!  Even if you feel you do not need anything new, then go with the mindset that you are there to support homeschooling.

You just might be the veteran mom or dad  someone new and bewildered reaches out to!

I hope you have an amazing time at your home school conference and that you make a commitment to yourself and your family to go.

It is absolutely worth it!

Homeschoolers and maybe ‘Mom’ in particular all have times of  “Am I doing enough?” or “We need to do more”

We all have our own philosophies.  I like to balance the “3 R’s” with “delight directed”, some days are perfectly balanced and others can lean heavily one way or the other.  I try to just “roll with it”.

We are relatively new to home schooling as my eldest is 7; we took him out of grade one in March 2007.  What I’d like to share is my pure joy and delight in my children and family!

  We have fun together!

 I love to watch my children they are smart, funny, reflective, spontaneous, silly, thoughtful…the list can go on and on.  We also have our long days too, days of trial, but they NEVER out weigh the WONDERFUL days.

Recently we have moved, then we had Christmas, then more recently I had a week of not feeling well.  Yes the flu hit me right in the midst of the January deep freeze and in midst of me finding our new rhythm in our new home. Many families, actually all families have these times of disruptive schedules, that is life.  How we choose to handle it makes all the difference.

Am I Doing Enough?

 This is when we need to let go of the “Have To’s” and  let things be.

During my week with the flu this is what we accomplished:

• Discussed what Habitat is for both people and animals, and  how we can help

• Played games-counting, strategy, compassion, disappointment

• Independence-children helped prepare lunch, did Math on their own

• Geography-talked about the equator and Australia

• Weather-discussed wind chill and protecting ourselves

They also watched me knit and tried their hand at it.  They each expressed an interest in learning the craft.  As well they really had time to have compassion, not for me…but for those out working in the cold or for those without homes. They wanted to go and help out at the food bank again. (something they did before Christmas).

Look at how much we achieved with me eating my toast and tea!  

It was a week of what some would call “off time”, but it certainly wasn’t a waste. 

Nobody’s brain ceased to work!

 In fact, they came up with some wonderful questions, acts of kindness, and imaginative play!  A Math book as well as a few other texts opened without me!!

As hard as it is to face whatever challenge it is which takes us off the schedule, it is also a great time to slow down and notice the little people in our homes blossom in a different way. 

Being able to take time to talk and ask them of their 7 and 5 year old perspective (in our case).  Or, watching your toddler all of a sudden RUN around or climb into your pantry.  

So much learning can happen on those “off days”.  Take the time to listen, if you are too ill or otherwise occupied with family matters, jot down the make believe games they play.  Record the interesting questions they have about insects, pyramids, or life issues.  Then you can go back and address these things once you are well enough, or have more free time.  I’ve planned an entire week around their queries.  Yes that will be another week off the beaten path, but it will be a path filled with excitement, passion and life long learning.

Passion for learning is natural with our youngsters, embrace it!  It is a joyful journey, and often one that doesn’t always follow the straight and narrow. I’ve allowed our path to go up and down, or weave side to side, and you know what?  They are learning a great deal.

To this day my boys still play “bees” with the information the McDonald family graciously shared with us.  Much of what they learned was because of a day I allowed our schedule to flex.  They posed the questions themselves a year and a half ago, and still talk about bees and honey.  It is compelling to listen to them buzz around the yard collecting pollen, explaining the process with all the proper terminology.  It is like watching the Discovery Channel, in our own back yard and so much better.

The knowledge they gained that day is forever embedded because it was a natural curiosity, that at 4 and 6 years old, they filled themselves.  I now use this fun, embedded knowledge to help teach other perhaps more dry subject matters; it helps the subject come alive.

So take heart, we can have “off days or weeks”

We have the power to allow them to be some of the “best days”.  

Balance will again be restored, we will get there!

Allow it to be a joyous journey!