So you are thinking about homeschooling? You're not alone! - Life. Love. Jesus. Everything in between.

I haven't heard so much about homeschooling ever. It seems so many are thinking about it right now.

Homeschooling has always been my ideal choice of schooling for my two children.

They both went to a Christian pre-school for Pre-k 3 and VPK. My son transitioned from there to an amazing 4 day a week "home-school co-op" of sorts. I say it like that bc it has all the benefits of certified teachers, classrooms of children, and Biblical teaching. It was a co-op and then some! It was a huge blessing and the best thing that had happened to us.

As far as my kid's education goes, all they have ever known is an intimate, God-centered, loving environment.

This year my daughter will be headed for Kindergarten and my son will be in 2nd grade.

My prayer their whole life has been that they would always have that kind of education that they started out with. 

This year God has answered my prayer again, but this time it's my turn to step up to the plate.

The beginning of the pandemic was a blessing for us because we got a glimpse of what it could be like to do school at home.

We enjoyed our mornings together, Bible devotions, getting our work started, working hard until lunch and calling it a day. 

There was learning going on in the purest and most laid back way.

It felt like we had been doing it for years. Some would argue that "pandemic learning was an emergency learning model and not really home-school" which may be true for kids who were in public school at the time. My kids were continuing their curriculum and learning just as they had been at school. It wasn't just a stack of busy work packets. 

It was great. I had my preschool baby reading by the end of March and my 1st grader was desiring to be challenged even more.

We are so excited and ready to do the home-school thing, for real this time.

If you have thought about it, but have reservations here are some thoughts that will hopefully encourage you to make the best decision for you and your family.

It is okay to be scared.

It's okay to not have a clue where to start.

It is okay to question if you are capable or if it is right for your family.

You don't have to be perfect at it.

You will learn as you go and get better with time.

You'll probably figure out 17 ways to NOT do it.

There are many curriculum options and the majority (from what I have gathered) are easy to follow.

You don't have to "want to be a teacher" to home-school your kids.

There are so many resources in the form of moms who are willing to have a conversation to tell you what they do, Facebook groups to answer your questions, and co-ops to connect with other families and figure it out together.

Children do not spend 8 hours learning at school every day.

If you think about it there is a lot of fluff time and time that is not spent actively engaged in learning at a traditional school. Which is fine and necessary in that environment. Kids are transitioning from place to place, getting settled in their classroom, having enrichment time, recess, P.E., lunch, etc. 

Children do not have the attention span to be fully locked in and learning all day long. And to be fair, neither do we.

Homeschooling is taking that actively engaged time and making that your day. Condensing all the other stuff to engaging and learning what you need to learn and what you want to learn. 

P.E. is them jumping on the trampoline when they're done with their work for the day.
Lunch is a PB&J on the porch because it's a nice afternoon.
Science is taking a trip to the pond and looking at the tadpoles and learning what their life cycle is like. History is walking through Heritage Park one afternoon and exploring our own towns history and how that ties into American history.

Homeschooling is learning with freedom and an entirely new perspective. It's not traditional. It's not in a box. It's what YOU make it.


Don't worry about how to fill the time of the day. You will find a routine that works for you.

There are plenty of families who have been doing it forever and it can be intimidating to hear their schedule or how they have things down to a science.

They were new at one time, too.

Just because "it" works for someone else doesn't mean it will work for you and your kids. Whatever "it" is.

You are capable whether you believe it or not. Ps. I believe in you!

The State of Florida is one of the more lenient states when it comes to homeschooling. Some states are incredibly demanding when it comes to them being involved in your homeschooling. They have all sorts of requirements and hoops to jump through.

Thankfully, in Florida it's pretty cut and dry.

Check out this website to maybe help you get some questions answered. 


So what about social skills, "putting your kids in a bubble", learning how to act around other kids or adults, handling decision making on their own, and all the other questions people throw out when you bring up homeschooling.

We personally have a life full of people we interact with, a church we are involved in, and sports/teams we play with. We teach them manners, how to act and how to think on their own. We are following our own convictions and doing what is right for us. If you are doing the same it doesn't matter what other people think or say. Do what's best for your family.

We have family and friends who would never consider homeschooling and that is okay.

They think we are crazy and that's okay too.

"Public school was good enough for them and it'll be good enough for their kids too" and that is fine.

My almost 8 year old will be a teenager in 5 years. FIVE short years. I would rather spend the next five years giving him the most solid foundation I can, than hoping he receives it wherever else. 

Same for my little girl. 

I get one shot at raising them. One shot to let their roots grow.

Colossians 2:7 says, "Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will."

But is has to be TAUGHT. You don't just stumble upon it or hope that you get it. You have to learn it.

If you are thinking about homeschooling and need a nudge in the right direction for a curriculum or how to file a letter to the school district or whatever, please let me know. 

There's even a little, Jesus loving, small, one day a week, just for fun, co-op I can tell you about if you'd like.

Pray and pray some more and make the decision that is best for you, whatever that may be!

That's the beauty of being a parent. You get to raise your child(ren) however you see fit. I don't apologize for any decisions I make when it comes to them because they are all with lots of prayer and thought.

xoxo,
Jamie Lee



Comments

  1. I love this!! I just recently decided to start homeschool with my little girl for Kindergarten but I’ve been very anxious and having my doubts. I’m glad to know I am not alone.

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    Replies
    1. You've got this! I think the most important thing is wanting to see your babies learn and grow. If you have that then everything else will fall into place!

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