I never thought I would be a homeschool mom, but God had other plans for me. God laid this new plan for my life on my heart. After lots and LOTS of research, phone calls to friends who homeschooled, and prayer, I presented this crazy idea of homeschooling to my husband. He was ecstatic! He had been homeschooled through 8th grade and then navigated his way through public school in High School. He told me he was so glad I brought up homeschooling because he wouldn’t have asked me to do it. He knew it would have fallen on me for the most part. I promised I would give homeschooling a chance for one year with our son, who was going into Kindergarten. A few months in, we were hooked! Our second year of homeschool we added our daughter to the mix for Pre-K. She was SOO excited to have Mommy as her teacher. We are now in our fourth year of homeschooling and I wouldn’t change it for the world!! Of course, there are many ups and downs. Tears have been shed (not sure if the kids or I have had more). The joys of homeschooling have far outweighed the hard times. It will be hard, but we do hard things. (If you don’t think it’s hard, then you might be destined to be a homeschool parent. Way to go!!) Homeschooling has truly been a blessing for our family. I am so thankful to be able to be at home with my kids, teaching them and learning with them. We are lifelong learners.
2020 has been an interesting year. Life as we know it has changed. This thing called Coronavirus or COVID-19 has rocked the world. We began to hear about Coronavirus developing in China. It began to spread. Americans who had traveled to China were being brought back to the States. People who had traveled had been exposed. They were being watched for symptoms. More cases started showing up in other countries. Very quickly, it was in several countries around the world and in almost every state in the United States. BAM! Panic began to ensue. And just like that, we are all home, self-quarantining. Grocery stores are out of supplies, people are working from home (if they can), schools are closing, businesses are closing, and the list goes on…
Parents and grandparents who never thought they would homeschool their kids or grandkids are now becoming homeschool teachers. They are scrambling…trying to know what this means, trying to figure out what to do, trying to find curriculum, activities, supplies, trying to make a new schedule, trying to find a new “normal” for this new season of life that is now upon them; wondering how long this will last.
Well, let me tell you something you may not know. Homeschoolers stick together! Homeschoolers help each other! Homeschoolers LOVE to tell you about all things homeschool! So, all you need to do is ask!
I felt led to create this document to help other parents who are entering into their own homeschool journey unexpectedly. You may only homeschool for this season. You may fall in love with homeschooling and continue after this season passes. Whatever happens, we are all in this thing called LIFE together. As you look past the stress, the panic, and the uncertainty, be fully present with your kids. You don’t have anywhere to go for once in your life, so enjoy your kids and this special, bonus time you have with them. They are only this age once. Don’t miss out on this special opportunity. May it be the silver lining to the current situation and be a blessing to your family.
I have put together some tips I have learned, ideas, and resources to help give you some insight into how you can homeschool your kids. Your kids are not my kids, my kids are not your kids. Don’t judge and don’t compare yourself to anyone. Do what is right for you and your family. Remember, each child is different, so what works for one child may not work for another. One of the best sayings I have heard is that children are like popcorn;
“Popcorn is prepared in the same pot, in the same heat, in the same oil, but the kernels do not pop at the same time. Don’t compare your child to other children, his/her turn to pop is coming.”
My kids are Elementary ages, so most of my information is going to be geared toward that age; however, there are still plenty of things any new homeschool family can take away. I hope you find this helpful!