This is a post from my mother in law on the Chester County Homeschoolers message board.
What can I say? It helped me. I was stressing, and it’s only August.
Maybe it’ll help you, too.
Dear homeschooling friends,
As we approach September, and the traditional “beginning of school,” (yes, I do know that some do “year round” school – but many are getting’ just a little more serious about schooling after Labor Day) I thought it might be helpful to list some encouraging thoughts – both for those new to homeschooling, and to those who have been at it for a while.
So, here goes with some thoughts. PLEASE add to the list:
Connect. Each year we would begin with a “picnic” of some sorts, getting other homeschooling families to remind me that I’m not alone. I especially needed that encouragement as the big yellow school bus went around, and we weren’t on it.
Relax. I have read the book, The Relaxed Homeschool. Just the title has set my heart at ease. For some thoughts from the author, Mary Hood, go to http://www.homeeducator.com/FamilyTimes/articles/11-4article8.htm
Remember the big picture. There is a line in the movie “Uncle Buck” where Uncle Buck tells the school administrator, “I don’t think I want to know a six-year-old who isn’t a dreamer, or a sillyheart. And I sure don’t want to know one who takes their student career seriously.” Yes, we want to teach the academics, but not necessarily all in the first year.Scale down. Consumable workbooks are NOT the be-all and end-all of homeschooling, BUT a few scaled-down ones from Staples or Beckers help a mom do some math or writing with the kids. Other consumables I have liked are MCP Mathematics, Horizon Mathematics.
Try to create some fun. Get new mechanical pencils. I know we all try to be frugal, but it might be worth spending a little on some brand new mechanical pencils. If you’re not used to buying new stuff, it will be a REAL treat.Keep a balance. Some schooling is hands on and fun, other truly is a drudgery. How many times have we said, “.and it’s not gonna kill ya!” Sometimes I’d even add, “and you’re gonna live to tell about it.” [You can even make your “let’s get at it” words fun.]
Remember, school IS life, and life IS school. School isn’t just the textbooks. it is also the leaves changing, the hurricanes approaching Mexico, and the wonder of the ocean.
Read. Another foundational book is For the Children’s Sake (Susan Schaeffer Macauley). Mrs. Macauley gives a list of “living books.” Read, read, read. Remember that it is also the job of the homeschooling parent to train the kiddos to sit to be read to. If the children are little, set the timer for ten or fifteen minutes, and just read. Some are very fun and favorite books to read. Some are a stretch. Begin small, and work your way up.Any more thoughts? Please add to as you find time.
Wishing you all a warm and wonderful September,
Becky Albrecht
Becky can be reached via email at rebekaha AT comcast DOT net
PS: To mark the beginning of a new school year, I added a Homeschooling category to my blog AND a link under the “Blogs and Links” section to the Konos website, the curriculum we’ll be using as a guideline this year.