It’s that time of year, when thoughts turn to the new academic year in the UK and US, with some US schools starting back any day now, and school supplies up front in the shops.
But what if you’ve made the decision to homeschool/home educate this year?
After 3 1/2 years, I finally don’t feel like a “new” homeschooler, but it has been one helluva ride and there are some things I wish I could’ve told myself at the beginning.
So here are my top FIVE tips for new homeschoolers:
- Relax. You’ve got this. Honestly! I think every engaged parent worries whether they are making the right choices for their kids, that’s not limited to or excluded from homeschoolers. Academically, kids can ALWAYS “catch up” and actually there is research showing that kids learn faster when they’re ready, and that e.g. doing 12 school years of Mathematics in 1 year as a teen, is very possible. Have fun with your kids. If you enjoy each others’ company and get to know each other properly, everything is easier.
- Don’t spend a lot of money on curriculum or resources at this point. I know the temptation, to buy a curriculum that suggests it will take responsibility for “getting it right” off your hands, that will solve all your worries and tell you how to do this. But homeschooling isn’t like that. And at this stage, you really have no clue how your kiddos like to learn and what works for your family, as well as you are probably not ready (see point 3!). If you drop $$$ on something, you may feel that you have to use it, no matter what, and that can lead to stress and feelings of failure all round when it doesn’t work out for your family. Avoid the failure trap for you and your kids and just don’t buy anything expensive. If the price means you won’t want to just forget it, it’s too expensive.
- Deschool, deschool, deschool. If you feel a need to research, learn and prepare, put your focus on deschooling the whole family. See my post Deschooling. What is it? Do I need to do it…and how? for more info.
- Find your people. This helps with, well, everything. Need reassurance, check! What to get your hands on different resources and curriculums, or find out about awesome local options, check! Need help with your deschooling, check! Find people who are ahead of you in this journey and learn from them. You might not like everything they say, and that’s why you need to find PEOPLE not a person, but you will find people who speak to you. Meeting local homeschoolers in real life can be hugely helpful and reassuring, both those with kids of similar ages, and those with older kids (there is nothing like knowing wonderful homeschooled teens and young adults to give you confidence in the process). Podcasts, books and videos can ALSO be hugely helpful and reassuring, so even if you don’t yet know anyone else in your area who is homeschooling, or who is homeschooling in a way that’s relevant to you, you can still find your people.
- Know your why. Why are you doing this? Do you want to have adventure, to support your kid’s mental health, to make opportunities, or because school wasn’t working for your kid and you know there must be a better way? Know your why and remind yourself of it when things feel hard, or uncertain. Always come back to your why. Homeschooling is not the default option in our society, so we choose this. Even if you feel you didn’t have a choice because the alternative was so bad or felt unsafe for your kid, remember that you are choosing to not do the default for a reason. You got this. And it will get easier.
