Lessons Learned: A Message for Homeschool Parents

After spending three years homeschooling her own children, and eleven years teaching in a middle school classroom, Brandy believes “homeschooling is just as much a learning experience for the adults as it is for the children! I have learned SO much about myself, my kids, and homeschooling in general.”

Here are few of Brandy’s “lessons learned” for all homeschool parents to think about:

• Teaching your children at home is not the same (nor should it be the same) as teaching 30 kids in a classroom. In a classroom everything is scheduled to the last second while homeschooling typically involves a more relaxed approach.
• It’s perfectly okay to not finish everything you had planned for the day — in fact it’s a good thing for kids to learn that in life you have to be flexible. Things will NOT always go as planned, and learning how to adjust “on the fly” is an important life skill.
• You don’t HAVE to join every homeschool group/co-op etc. that you find (unless you want to). A few well-chosen and enjoyable activities will give your kids PLENTY of socialization.
• There is more to curriculum than just textbooks. Don’t be afraid to step outside the box!!  However, if textbooks work great for YOU, then use them! It is, after all, YOUR homeschool and you know what suits you and your children best.
• Do NOT compare yourself to the other homeschoolers you know. It is very likely that what you do will be very different from what they do, and that’s okay. As a homeschool parent you aim to make your homeschool reflect the needs of your kids.
• Be aware that each of your children has their own style of learning, and just because something worked great with one child it may not work for another.
• Homeschooling is a huge responsibility and at times can be stressful. To help work through these times remember to “not sweat the small stuff” and enjoy the time with your family.

What are some of your homeschooling “lessons learned”?

By Brandy Brockhausen, FPEA Relationship Ambassador.  Brandy has been a homeschooling mom of two boys for three years now. Her boys are currently in 5th and 8th grades. Prior to homeschooling she taught middle school for 11 years.