There is not a doubt in my mind I have learned just as much as my kids the past 5 years we have been schooling together. While my oldest has learned about Nikola Tesla, my daughter has learned to read, and my five year old has learned to add, I have learned how to be both mom and teacher. It’s trial and error, wins and fails, and a lot of changing my mind to find what works for not only me, but my babes.
While I haven’t been homeschooling as long as some, I’ve been around the block a few times and want to share what I learned this past year. I do this both for myself and for anyone who could benefit from what I’ve learned. I have some reflection questions at the end of my learnings if you’re a homeschooling mom and could benefit from what I’m learned. Here is what I Learned My 5th Year of Homeschooling…
What I Learned My 5th Year of Homeschooling
Curriculum Matters for Mom
If Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. I have never known this to be so true than it is when it comes to homeschool curriculum. While it’s important for curriculum to work for our kids, it’s even more important for it to work for mom. I’ve discovered I am a better mom and teacher when I like the curriculum and how it works within our day.
I have discovered I like a simple, open and go curriculum. Although I was an elementary teacher before staying home with my kids, planning lessons and collecting materials is not something I have the capacity for with kids in different grade levels. I want something I can use easily. For our family, The Good and the Beauitful language arts curriculum has worked well and so has Math-U-See. There is barely any prep and it ensures I’m not spending precious hours gathering materials.
I want to be clear, curriculum isn’t everything, but it does matter. Finding what works for you and your family is worth the effort. If you reflect on this past year, did your curriculum make homeschooling easier or harder? Did it bring you joy or frustration? Would you recommend it to people you care about?
Curriculum isn’t necessary
Since we are already talking curriculum, I learned this year it isn’t necessary. I’ve tried various science, social studies, and history curriculums and haven’t found anything I can’t live without. So this year instead of purchasing science and history curriculum with a scope and sequence, we did something different. I asked the kids what they wanted to learn and then we learned it. We studied Nikola Tesla, the moon, ancient Egypt, and chickens. We utilized free resources like the library and Youtube to learn about these topics. And it was joyful and interesting and both the kids and I thrived with this model. Interest led learning is definitely something I will continue this next school year.
Curriculum can be both incredibly valuable and also unnecessary at times. Is there a part of your homeschool day that isn’t working? If so, is it because of the curriculum? Could you eliminate a textbook or curriculum to make your homeschool days simpler and more enjoyable?
Comparison is a trap
Whether we compare ourselves to a mom at co-op or a mom on Instagram, they both are damaging. I’ve learned that what I do is specific to me, my kids, and the way we do life together. What works for our family might not work for a good friend or the homeschool influencer. And that’s okay. I’ve gotten caught in the comparison trap a few times this past year and know it messes with my confidence. When I am running in my lane, doing what I know works for my family, I am a more content mom loving more content kids. That’s good for everyone. I know comparison will always be a temptation, but I hope being aware of the trap will help me not fall into it so much.
Do you find yourself feeling discontented after chatting with a homeschool mom at co-op or after an Instagram scroll? Instead of thinking about what you aren’t doing or how you are doing things differently, what if you named one thing that is going well in your home? Also, saying internally: ‘That’s good for her and her family, but not for me’ and really meaning it can help with a perspective shift. Maybe you need to take it a step further and unfollow some accounts on Instagram to reel in the comparison. Decide one way you can fight the temptation of comparison.
Community is life giving
This year a few friends started up a local co-op. It has been more life giving than I can find words for. Having a group of moms, all in the same boat, doing life together every Tuesday morning gave our homeschool a spark it needed. I have prayed for this co-op for years and the waiting made this community that much sweeter. These women and kids have filled our family’s cup week after week. I have seen my kids thrive and it has definitely impacted how I feel about homeschooling day to day.
Do you have a strong homeschool community? If not, how can you seek out other homeschooling families before the new school year begins?
Like the babes I am teaching, I am constantly learning and growing and being stretched. I pray this continues and I never take for granted the great privilege it is to teach my kids.
What did you learn this past year?