Do you ever scroll through social media looking for homeschool inspiration and end up feeling defeated? Doesn’t it look like everyone else has the best resources, the latest educational technology, the prettiest homeschool room, and kids that sit properly in chairs and write neatly the first time? Then there’s you. You’re doomed before you’ve even begun. Your homeschool budget is microscopic, you do school at the kitchen table (after you move the crumbs aside), and you don’t want to post a picture of your kids in their pjs at 1pm. Ugh.
Deep breath, now.
I have been there. I’ve fallen into the trap of becoming discontented with my homeschool because I saw something that appeared bigger and better. I thought I had to change to suit what I saw going on around me. Everyone else had a fabulous homeschool and mine was just blah.
Stop thinking you have to live another family’s life and homeschool. Live your own. Discontent will wear you down.
The biggest gift I’ve ever given myself as a homeschool mom is to accept what my OWN reality is, what my family circumstances are, and work with and appreciate the unique blessings that God has bestowed on my homeschool. I’ve found contentment in this, and renewed energy to do the best I can for my children.
Please give yourself the same gift. Work with what God has given you. A positive attitude and daily connection with God will go farther towards creating a joyful, vibrant learning environment than the latest resources alone could ever accomplish.
Some families have a homeschool like a pair of sleek, custom-fitted Italian leather heels. Or like a pair of heavy-duty motorcycle boots. That’s great! My homeschool is more like a pair of plain mary jane style shoes. Simple, comfortable and serviceable. Gets us where we need to go. Sometimes my homeschool gets a little scuffed and worn, so I take some time to polish it up. Maybe add a new insole. Then we go happily on our way. Mary Janes aren’t for everyone, but they are perfect for my family. Praise God.
It is not hard to adjust the difficulty of the requirements to fit a child’s individual needs. Customize the requirements by looking for library resources that extend the learning, as well as check for advanced or related honors. Become and expert in a particular area by completing the Master award requirements. Add in videos, trips to museums, community classes, and specialty equipment and you’ll be working on some serious productive interest-led science learning. The key is, you’ll only get out of it what you put into it.
I usually choose several awards that I think my children would benefit from experiencing, and ask my children to choose some that they would like to complete. Some years we have worked on only one or two honors, other years we have completed multiple honors. The interest level has always been high for my kids and as they grew into their high school years, my oldest two advanced from completing the honors themselves to teaching an honor to others at summer camp.
The Adventist Home Educator 