As a homeschool mom, the beginning of fall brings out mixed feelings in me. I'm excited for the "new" year (even if we started in July), I'm relieved to be falling into a more regular routine, and truthfully, I'm a little nervous of what lies ahead - a new class for my daughter, the newness of my son being in kindergarten, new families in our Classical Conversations community.
Maybe you are feeling that, too. A mix of excitement and relief and fear. So I'm taking a moment to remind myself, and you, of the things we need not fear this new homeschool year.
Maybe you are feeling that, too. A mix of excitement and relief and fear. So I'm taking a moment to remind myself, and you, of the things we need not fear this new homeschool year.
Fear not math. Or any other subject. You can probably learn anything you are asking your child to learn, and if one subject is particularly challenging for you, you can find help.
Fear not the moment when you don't know the answer. There are so many resources out there to help you find the answer, whether it is about homeschooling, or grammar, or potty training, or talking to your kids about sex. The Internet, the public library, blogs, parenting groups, people in your church. Answers are out there.
Fear not making a bad choice. You may buy a curriculum and find that it stinks. Or it's great for one child and not another. Really, no big deal. Sell it to someone else, find a new one and move one. No homeschool decision is forever.
Fear not ruining your child's future. You won't. You are making the best decisions you can, in love, and they won't be ruined by that. See point three - no decision is forever. If you realize one was not the best, pause and change course.
Fear not what other people will say. So they have an opinion - so what? If you are being true to your convictions and what you believe God is calling you to, don't worry about what others say. Listen to their suggestions, take what works, and get rid of the rest.
Fear not ruining your child's future. You won't. You are making the best decisions you can, in love, and they won't be ruined by that. See point three - no decision is forever. If you realize one was not the best, pause and change course.
Fear not what other people will say. So they have an opinion - so what? If you are being true to your convictions and what you believe God is calling you to, don't worry about what others say. Listen to their suggestions, take what works, and get rid of the rest.
Fear not that your homeschool doesn't look like someone else's. It won't, and it shouldn't, any more than your family needs to look like another family. Again, listen and watch for ideas you can steal (imitation is the most sincere form of flattery!), but don't feel the pressure that you need to conform to anyone else's ideas.
Fear not the tears. It's okay to cry, whether in frustration or sadness or joy. Tears reveal what is going on and can be healing, too. And that's all good.
Fear not admitting you need others. You do. Maybe you have homeschooled for years on your own, and now, this year, you feel like you need to join a co-op or a Classical Conversations community. That doesn't mean you just lost Supermom status and need to hang up your cape. It just means you're read to do things differently.
Fear not changing your mind. You will. We all do. Whether it is about a curriculum or method or homeschool group, it's good to try things on for size and then make adjustments when we change and grow or when we realize our first choice was not what we thought it would be. Don't dig your heels in and be stubborn just so you don't have to admit you are changing your mind.
The biggest "fear not", though, is not the "what" but the "why". We need not fear because God is with us in all of life, and that includes homeschooling. Commit your year to the Lord, and allow Him to lead you and your family on this adventure!
Fear not the tears. It's okay to cry, whether in frustration or sadness or joy. Tears reveal what is going on and can be healing, too. And that's all good.
Fear not admitting you need others. You do. Maybe you have homeschooled for years on your own, and now, this year, you feel like you need to join a co-op or a Classical Conversations community. That doesn't mean you just lost Supermom status and need to hang up your cape. It just means you're read to do things differently.
Fear not changing your mind. You will. We all do. Whether it is about a curriculum or method or homeschool group, it's good to try things on for size and then make adjustments when we change and grow or when we realize our first choice was not what we thought it would be. Don't dig your heels in and be stubborn just so you don't have to admit you are changing your mind.
The biggest "fear not", though, is not the "what" but the "why". We need not fear because God is with us in all of life, and that includes homeschooling. Commit your year to the Lord, and allow Him to lead you and your family on this adventure!
What fears do you have for the new homeschool year? How is God helping you with them?
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