Secrets of Homeschooling
*Photo credit: Lightstock.com*
This is my second year homeschooling. I remember being scared, not knowing a thing about homeschooling, and having no idea where to start. All I knew was that I had a calling on my heart from the Lord and I had to honor that. I wanted to share some helpful hints today that have made my life easier and I hope it will make yours easier as well! Whether you are praying about the idea of homeschooling or you are a seasoned pro, there are definitely an abundance of resources!
One of the first steps is to pray on this decision and what you think will be best for your children. The next step is to talk to your spouse and see how they feel about it. You can talk to friends and family, but ultimately this decision is between you, your spouse, and God. Sometimes family and friends have the best of intentions, but people fear what they don’t know. Take all of their opinions and love them for their concern and care for you and your family, but have them respect that this is a decision between you and your spouse.
We have all been new at something, whether it is a new job or what about the first night as a parent with your new baby? We learn through experience. Homeschooling is no different. If you are just at the beginning stages of homeschooling, here are two excellent books to give you some insight into homeschooling:
The Simplicity of Homeschooling by Vicky Goodchild
How to Homeschool: A Practical Approach by Gayle Graham
If you are ready to dive in after reading these amazing books, contact your state to see what the homeschool laws are where you live. There are also wonderful homeschool support groups out there that have field trips, meetings, and gatherings for you and your family.
Believe it or not, you are pretty much on your way at this point. You will have the confidence and research done to know that you can do this. Not everyone homeschools the same way, just like no one parents the same way. There will be bumps and bruises along the way, just like anything new that we start. I can’t tell you if this is the right path for you. I can only share what I have experienced and what has worked well for me. The only thing I can tell you is to have faith and honor your calling, whether it is to homeschool or not.
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11: 22-24
My Favorite Places to Find Homeschool Printables and Ideas for Free or at Discount:
- CurrClick
- The Mailbox
- TeachersPayTeachers
- Educents
Check out these amazing articles on how to stay organized in your homeschool year:
When organizing and saving homeschool files onto your computer, I found the best way to do this is to save it in a folder on your computer with the grade level that the specific file is for. I used to divide it up into topics, like reading and math, but when it came to time to put everything together for that year, I was going through way too many files! At least having everything together under Kindergarten, for example, will help you decide what to use for your homeschool that year.
Where to Homeschool & My Top 3 Organization Tips from Abby
End of the Year Homeschool Portfolio from Kelly
Here are some helpful articles for the homeschool parent needing a refresher:
Some Days You Just Need to Breathe from Thaleia
Encouragement From the Weary Home School Mom from Abby
21 Ways to Enjoy a Break From Homeschooling from Kelly
Shirley has you covered for teaching younger children and toddlers:
Bible Memory Beginnings for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Three Pre-k Home School Strategies
Are you considering homeschooling? Do you have questions? Leave them below!
If you are an experienced homeschool parent, what advice would you offer to a new homeschool parent?
This post contains affiliate links.
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I’ve been homeschooling for 11 years and now have two in high school (as well as two still in elementary school). My best piece of advice is this: You can’t homeschool in your own strength. Every day I need God. In His strength I can do it. 🙂
Amen, Leah! There are many days where I know it is not physically possible for what I do but you are correct. “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13. Thanks for commenting and blessings to you and your family through this homeschool year 🙂
This is a great website for wading through all the curriculum choices! http://cathyduffyreviews.com
Homeschooling definitely requires flexibility & reliance on God’s grace — but just enjoy being with your kids! These years are fleeting.
Thanks for sharing, Abby! Someone said once at a homeschool convention that “the days are long but the years are short.” It is amazing to see how fast time fly. That is a great reminder to just enjoy being in the moment with your children. Thanks for commenting and have a blessed week 🙂
Such a fabulous post to help someone in those initial stages of figuring out homeschooling.
This is my second year too and I feel so much more settled this year than last. It really is a process and I invite God into every single aspect of it.
Thanks so much for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Hi Jennifer and thanks for hosting the #SHINEbloghop! I was so lost and scared the first year homeschooling and I thought it would be great to have something to encourage other new homeschool Moms! It is nice to get more settled and comfortable and God is definitely in every aspect because I know I could not do this without Him! Many blessings to you and your family during the homeschool year 🙂
Love this post! Thanks so much for sharing all of these tips. I am an experienced homeschooler as I have 2 in high school and have always homeschooled. You have the key to success in this statement: “All I knew was that I had a calling on my heart from the Lord and I had to honor that.” I always remind beginning homeschoolers that God won’t ask us to do something and then leave us alone to fail our children. My biggest piece of advice is to trust God, teach your children to honor Him with their lives, and relax just a little. Enjoy learning rather than letting the curriculum dictate everything, especially when it causes tears and frustration. If I can help you or any of your readers, please feel free to contact me via my blog and I’d be happy to help in any way that I can. Blessings to you and yours.
Amen, Heather! Thank you for the encouraging words and wonderful advice! That calling is a hard one to ignore and I truly do rely on the Lord to get me through. That is amazing you have homeschooled your children since the beginning through high school! I hope that I am able to do the same with my sons! Many blessings to you and yours as well, and thanks for commenting 🙂