Thank you Brenda Kaye Ruffener for allowing us to post your article below:
http://www.homeschooldiaries.com/25-homeschooling-truths-i-wish-id-known/
When I first started homeschooling, I was excited, happy, scared and overwhelmed. The year-long research I’d done prepared me for the nuts-and-bolts of homeschool, but not the reality of it.
The first year was filled with a gamut of emotions that included as much laughter as tears. I questioned my every move.
Was I doing enough? Did we cover it all? Should I have done something different?
Through it all, I’ve learned basic truths about homeschooling that I wish I’d known when I first began. No one can prepare us. We learn through experience.
1. There will be hard times and you may want to call it quits.
2. You will face self-doubt because you are a human being.
3. Your super-mom mentality will be challenged.
4. You don’t have to follow a schedule every single day – it can be used as a guideline, but isn’t concrete.
5. Focus on what your child is passionate about. When you ignite the fire in them – let it burn.
Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel. – Socrates
6. Classical literature is so much better than dry textbooks.
7. Your family is your own – do what works for them. Nobody else.
8. It’s okay to declare an impromptu school’s canceled day. Head outdoors, go to lunch, walk to the park, or snuggle up on the back porch swing.
9. Enjoy your freedom. You’ll still cover what you need to, but freedom is priceless.
10. It’s not all about the books. Think 80-20 principle. 80% relationship (if not more) and 20% academics – especially when they’re young.
11. Flexibility is a skill that should be practiced, routinely.
12. You can’t please everyone, especially when they don’t approve of your choice to homeschool. Don’t even try!
13. Venturing off the lesson plan grid results in the most teachable moments.
The measure of intelligence is the ability to change. – Albert Einstein
14. Capture every minute in your heart – before you know it they will be in high school.
15. Just because public schools are out for the summer, doesn’t mean you have to be. You can learn all year long or break during non-traditional times – it’s the beauty of homeschooling.
16. Investing in your child’s education is worth the pain, suffering and tears.
17. Weekly and monthly meal plans make life easier.
18. You shouldn’t look down on other homeschool styles – even when they are not in line with your own. So much can be learned from those around you.
19. Comparing homeschool methods and styles is like comparing apples to oranges. It shouldn’t be done and doesn’t add up if you do.
20. Focus on what they ARE learning, rather than what they are not. The positive far outweighs the negative.
21. No one said it was going to be easy – if they did – they lied.
Nobody said it was easy, no one ever said it would be so hard. – Coldplay
22. You can shelve the book and come back when their interest level catches up.
23. Socialization happens organically and shouldn’t be forced.
24. My homeschool doesn’t have to look like your homeschool and vice versa. They are your kids, your home and your school. Relish in the uniqueness.
25. Encouragement takes them places they never believed they could go. Criticism stops them dead in their tracks.
Brenda Kaye Rufener’s passion is offering advice and experiential wisdom to parents embarking on the journey of home education through her popular blog Homeschool Diaries. Her blog has been described by critics as “Humorous, slightly irreverent and always honest.” One fan recently told her she was, “the bloggess of homeschooling… minus the swearing.” Her post here is copied by permission. You can read more about and from Brenda at www.homeschooldiaries.com.