Hey guys! Today I’m back with another fun Tip Tuesday post for you all!
We’re going to be going through some of my tips for getting started homeschooling in video format! Hopefully they will help some of you get going, and even help encourage some of you veteran homeshcoolers as well!
Today’s tip is all about getting a vision for your homeschool.
–> Download my Homeschooling Vision Worksheet here! <–
Watch my Tip Tuesday: Get a Vision video here!
The best way to begin your homeschooling journey is to start with the basics. First I suggest that you start off by creating a vision statement for your homeschooling journey. I think you will find you have all of the tools necessary to guide you through this journey if you seek God’s will for your homeschool, and take some time to pray for direction.
By creating a vision statement for why you are homeschooling, you’ll have a backbone to fall upon when doubt and indecision creep in. In the Homeschooling Vision Worksheet you will define your homeschooling goals, what you are striving towards, and why you are choosing to homeschool. Once you’ve laid this foundation you will be more prepared for the trials that will follow.
Is homeschooling something you feel called to do, and are there other reasons motivating you towards this journey? Taking some time to list the reasons for your choice to homeschool is a great way to solidify your decision.
Writing it down will also help remind you why you chose this direction and help get you back on track if you start to lose focus or get discouraged. Here are some common feelings I’ve experienced over the years…
- Did we make the right choice?
- Would my children do better if they were in a more traditional school?
- Am I teaching my children enough?
- Are they missing something by being taught at home?
Unfortunately one of the biggest issues homeschoolers can face is the indecision and doubt factor. Of course we all want what is best for our children’s education, and if things aren’t going as expected we need a reminder of why we chose this path to start with. Knowing what the goals for our homeschool are, we can adjust what we’re doing so we’re moving toward those goals and not toward what someone else tells us we should be doing.
I highly encourage you to write down your reasons for choosing to homeschool and keep it somewhere handy so you can refer back to it whenever you find yourself doubting your decision. For those of you who are interested, you can read our reasons for homeschooling here.
Miss any of my Tip Tuesday posts? Click here to check out past Tip Tuesday posts!
Hi Erica- I bought your homeschooling book 101 before I started homeschooling 2 years ago. I found it to be very helpful. I read through it every year. Thanks for sharing these videos and reminding us how important it is to create a vision and keep seeking the Lord in our homeschool as we go through the seasons.
That’s great, I’m so glad that it’s been helpful for you!
Hello my name is Tara and I am a mom of a 1 1/2, 3 and 4 yrs old and we are getting into the swing of things as far as curriculum goes, but I find myself running out of things to do for the day sooner than I would like. How far in advance to you plan for the days, beginning of each week, month, etc. Do you have a specific organization you have to store for the week containing supplies and work for each child?
thanks for your time!
Hi Tara,
I usually plan out our entire year over summer break. I know that can seem kind of crazy, but planning ahead like that means that I’m not scrambling every week during the year to come up with a plan. I have a ton of information on it in my Homeschooling 101 book here:
http://tinyurl.com/a38obj4
And in some blog posts here:
http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2013/09/day-3-homeschooling-101-plan-ahead.html
Oh also, I use the drawers holding up our desks to store their work for the week. You can see more about how that is organized here:
http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2013/01/workbox-system-video-tutorial.html
Erica, I am so keen to home educate my son with a combo of Charlotte Mason in the beginning and later, Classical Education methods. Anyway, that is the plan but am prepared for some adaptations along the way.
My only concern is that we have an only child and that he may not get the healthy competition or diversified edge (particularly in relation to learning with another child). In short, there may be too much of a risk of our son having “our opinions” only and being too much around adult way of thinking as opposed to child-like (latter in biblical sense). Do you know of mothers who have only child so that I can find a better and more relatable interaction ?