Dear First Time Homeschool Parents,
Are you the first EVER in your entire family history to try homeschooling?
I know just what you’re feeling!
My husband and I are both products of public schools, kindergarten through college. We attended a great state university that trains some of the best educators in the state, so many of our closest friends are public school teachers. Many family members are public school educators, too.
Our decision to homeschool came as a surprise to many.
Being a first generation homeschooler, like anything else new, takes creativity, determination, energy, a willingness to try other things and a lesson in asking questions. You are pioneering a new way of learning and transitioning into a lifestyle shift when you are the first to homeschool – and often extended family members are the toughest to offer support.
Despite the beauty and excitement homeschooling offers to our family, we have found a few things that were unexpected bumps in our journey. Whenever new paths are taken, habits and patterns are established for all involved – including the expectations of extended family members.
Our extended family had to get used to the idea that things would be a little different.
Since our relatives live far away, long visits are a must and often happen during the school year. At first, I wasn’t sure if I should take off our school days when family visits or should I fight through the hectic house and do school anyway. I knew I wanted our family to see we take our schooling seriously, but at the same time, one of the great things about homeschooling is the flexibility in schedules. I think we’ve settled on a good mixture of both taking a break, taking time off and doing a minimal day when we needed to. The grandparents enjoy the quiet living room with the news on the mornings I choose to do a minimal day and we still have loads of time to spend with them afterward.
We still share important rites of passage with our extended family.
For generations, rites of passage like first day of school photos, back to school shopping, school pictures, report cards, school calendars, parent/teacher conferences and class parties have been a part of our family’s routine. Instead of sharing report cards with the grandparents, we send short video clips of memory work, pictures of presentations at co-op, mail extra crafts in packages and invite them to tag along on field trips and co-op classes when they visit. We send them yearly school pictures just like other school kids do.
Help your family see the positives of homeschooling.
A great way to help non-homeschooling family members learn more about it is to share great blogs and books with them. Homeschooling is quickly becoming more socially accepted and popular, so positive examples are in ample supply. Share these great stories with your family members and friends. You might even find that you’ve become to role model.
Pioneering anything new is extremely exhausting. Learning new lingo, establishing family patterns and settling yourself on your own family expectations can be draining. Give yourself time to adjust. Give your friends and family time to adjust. In the end, you’ve got to be sure this is what you want for your kids at this time. Ultimately, you will know what is best for your children and, as hard as it will be to withstand the pressure sometimes, trust your choices!
Best Wishes, Fellow Pioneer!
Lindsay Banton is a caffeinated mother to three great kids. She never expected to homeschool, but has found that it is a wonderful addition to their lifestyle and wouldn’t change it for the world. In addition to homeschooling, Lindsay works alongside her husband in campus ministry at a large university in Connecticut. She grew up in Virginia but has settled into life in New England, learning to love the long winters, cool springs, green summers and gorgeous autumns- and has built a boot collection to meet all the demands. She is currently blogging at www.oaksreplanted.blogspot.com