As our second year of homeschool has begun, I can now tell you my most favorite and most challenging things about my new(ish) gig. It's a lot like when my kids were younger and not in school yet and we were together almost constantly. And what I found then and what I find now is that for the most part, spending more time with my kids allows me to tolerate them more easily than when I see them less….maybe you think I should have used enjoy rather than tolerate, but most days I feel like tolerating is the best I can do…if I'm keepin' real.
So, what I'm saying is that it works. We all tolerate each other sometimes and enjoy each other's company other times. And sometimes I assign myself a timeout. Just as it is with families, in general. There are definitely some perks to homeschool and some very big challenges too. Here's what I can tell you about my experience after year one.
Top 10 Favorite Things about Homeschooling:
- No homework struggles because there is no homework!
- No lunches to pack
- No early morning rushing around to get out the door…no early mornings at all. We start school mid-morning
- We can stay in our pjs for school, if we choose, and sometimes we do
- No standardized tests!
- Flexible schedules for field trips, traveling and impromptu or prolonged lessons
- Teaching subjects of our choosing: Latin and Greek roots, cursive, the Bible and lots of group discussions and group reading of a variety of subject matter and types of writing, U.S. geography, etc.
- Our trips!
- Watching my kids learn and use their knowledge
- The boys get one day of lessons with my parents every week, and that is priceless
Top 10 Challenging Things about Homeschooling
- I'm ALWAYS with my kids!
- I never feel like I'm finished for the day – there's always more housework, school preparations and legal editing work to be done
- Being patient with my kids
- Staying somewhat on track with lesson plans and outside activities, etc.
- Finding our place. So many friends don't homeschool. A few do, but they have for years and have their niche and each homeschooling family has its own philosophy and curriculum and schedule.
- Accomplishing everything I want to each school day.
- Arguing with my kids over doing math or practicing cursive, etc.
- Keeping my kids focused
- Making lessons interesting and relatable
- Trying not to completely lose myself and my interests and passions
It's not always easy, but sometimes it is. Just like everything in life. Over and out…
Anna
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