Maybe it’s been the heat, maybe it’s been the lack of routine, I really don’t know. But for some reason, for the first time ever, I had not been as eager as I typically am about the arrival of this upcoming school year.
Why would I feel that way when I love school time with the kids? I’m pretty sure it’s just because starting school means that I need to be a bit more disciplined and organized. I’ve enjoyed our “take it day by day” schedule this summer. What can I say?
However, with school starting for our family in just two weeks, I finally made the time to sit down will all of our books and began to get myself organized. Once I sat down, I believe it took about 3.2 seconds for me to get excited. Books! History! Fiction! Non-fiction! Goals! Fun!
I am once again feeling like I can get into the home schooling groove. Not only that, I am super excited about what the kids and I will be learning this year. (Yes, the kids and I…because I usually learn as much as they do. It’s a huge perk to home schooling. I, the mom, get soooo much smarter. Although please never, ever ask me to be a participant on Jeopardy.) :)
As I made out our schedule, I was pleased to see that it actually seems to work on paper. We never carry out our schedule perfectly, but sometimes I can’t even get it to work on paper, much less in real life. This year, I believe I figured out what might work. (And if I’m wrong, we’ll just tweak it as needed.)
I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn along with our kids, the chance to read loads of excellent books with them, and the privilege of being with them for so much of the day. 2012-2013 school year – here we come! (But not for two more weeks. For now, I’m going to stick to a non-schedule, thank you very much.) ;)
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Tracy says
I see that you have Story of the World, there! I ordered that for our first year of homeschooling my nearly 7 year old. Glad to see that it is a pick of yours!
Amy Bradsher says
It is our first time homeschooling in the elementary years, and I’m soooo excited! I love hearing how others make it all work. Thanks for sharing about this!
Rachel Goode says
We’re trying out homeschool for the first time right now! (pre-K)
Anne Kimball says
You homeschoolers amaze me. There’s a part of me that would love homeschooling, but I keep her locked up tight. Five of our kids attend our K- 12 charter school, and one goes to a small Quaker-based private school that meets his needs better, and it works for us. But like I said, I know I would enjoy it, and I respect those of you who make that leap.
My blog post today, actually, speaks to how I still try to get in some aducation with my kids at home, even though we don’t homeschool: http://annesfunnyfarm.blogspot.com/2012/07/a-tip-for-tuesday-teaching-at-table.html.
Have a blessed day!
Cami says
Homeschoolers amaze me as well. I think b/c we also have a lot of outside appts weekly AND I tried to work in summer homework I felt overwhelmed more often this summer. So I’m actually looking forward to them going back to school in 2 weeks!!
For those considering homeschooling, you really do have to guided by God, I think, as well as have a love for teaching.
Brooke says
Ditto! I have several close friend who homeschool or are going to start this fall and it’s amazing! We feel blessed that our daughter is in a very good Charter school here in town. I was feeling really torn a few months ago but talking with my husband helped. He reminded me that homeschooling in not always the best choice for everyone all the time. We might in the future but for now we hope our daughter will shine God’s love in the school she’s in. And we believe that is why He placed her there.
Lisa says
Yeah! It’s letting me comment!
Thanks for hosting, Laura. You start school much earlier than we do, but then isn’t that the beauty of home education? The freedom to things as they work for your family and lifestyle? Love it. :) We’ve used “The Story of the World” series for years and have loved it, especially the maps, coloring pages, and activities in the student workbook — so much to choose from, yet the freedom to do what we feel like or have time for.
Today I’m sharing a post on the topic of friendship and how thankful I am for the friends with which the Lord has blessed me.
Blessings to you as you prepare for the coming school year!
Lisa :)
Gail Griner Golden says
How I admire you and all who home school their children. When rearing my two daughters, home schooling was just beginning (the 1970’s). They attended a Christian school and I feel were well educated there. Now, I would opt for the home school choice. My grandson is two, and we plan to be a part of his home school education. Thank you for all the information you share here on your site.
Blessings and shalom,
gail
Tyanne says
Laura,
I am new to Heavenly Homemakers (found you on Facebook). My little one has a few years before we officially begin homeschooling, but women like you with such a positive perspective on teaching your children are a great encouragement to me in a world that gives me funny looks when I hint that our decision will be to homeschool. Love it!
Gayle Greeley says
Home schoolers amaze me. More power to you!!!!
On this Gratituesday, I am thankful for quiet miracles. This year I organized the Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society. Our event had only 10 teams participate this year. In the end we raised over $32,000.00 for the American Cancer Society!!!! We also were able to stock our local food pantry for 3 weeks with the canned goods collected that night. I sure didn’t expect that kind of success. What a great weekend :)
I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer.
Renia says
I went through our school stuff about 2 weeks ago and got the schedule to seemingly work wonderful on paper. I am thankful for tweak-ablity of home-schooling. Especially since we just received shocking news. We have an 8 & 5 yr old. We stated late in life and God has truly blessed us. After trying the last several years with no success we felt we were done. Much to our surprise we found out last week that I am 14 weeks pregnant. This really changed things for the coming school year. Oddly enough–although no surprise to HIM, I had to tweak our schedule before we even start. I was kinda giddy as the re-tweak was even better on paper than the 1st.
Jen says
My oldest son is 4 1/2, and we’ve made the decision to homeschool this year. We hoped to move to a better school district, but that’s not going to happen yet. I checked out the data for the elementary school he would attend here, and it’s atrocious! Only about 38-50% of students pass the standardized testing in reading and math in 2nd and 6th grade.
If he were attending public school, he wouldn’t be starting kindergarten until next fall. So I thought I would start looking at pre-school programs. Imagine my surprise when I realized everything I looked at was below his level. He’s actually ready for kindergarten now. Honestly, I’m not completely surprised because he’s very bright, and we’ve worked with him a ton at home already.
All this to say that I’m so excited to begin this homeschooling adventure! I still have a lot of planning to do, and supplies to purchase. Here’s hoping it goes well for us, and everyone else. :)
Cami says
Enjoyed reading this post. As an earlier commenter (Anne) stated,homeschooling moms amaze me as well. I actually did not enjoy summer with kids home as my kids are very hyper and hard to keep them entertained and get things done that I need to. So I’m looking forward to them getting back into a routine of getting up at set time, going to school for certain number hours, then home for snack then homework, then dinner, then baths and bedtime at set time.
Laundry Lady says
Homeschool moms seem like super-women to me. I desperately want to do this for my daughter (now three), but it seems like the trade off is always either time (create my own lessons) or money (great, but expensive premade curriculum). We seem to always be short on both. I love to learn, I always have. I loved school. I want my daughter to love to learn too and I want to be part of education. But I don’t know if I can handle her all day every day for the next 12 years (plus additional children). Not to mention the stress of documenting school. (I’ve been told by others that PA is rough state to homeschool in. I’m hoping it won’t turn out to be that bad.) I really want to do this, I love the idea of it. But the reality may prove to be more than I can handle. Plus my three year old is already asking when she will get to “go to school”. She wants to ride a bus and pack her lunch. I can’t give her that.
Rachel says
I linked up with my post about how grateful I am for the new member of our family: a new niece born yesterday!
Your excitement over homeschooling got me excited about the prospect of homeschooling, too! Although, my little guy is only 16 months old, so it’s more homeplaying than homeschooling for now.
Michelle Eichner says
I’m looking forward to my date with the planners! We LOVED Story of the World. In fact, I have a notebook of ideas & activities for vol. 1 if you’re interested. Lots of extra reading, fun activities, student pages, etc. Thanks for the inspiration!! Blessings to you. Michelle
Anonymous says
For a bit of additional encouragement for you fellow homeschooling moms … check out Karen Andreola’s latest post (momentswithmotherculture.blogspot.com)! She has an excellent illustration about keeping the “weeds” out of our children’s hearts – something that is much easier to do when they are at home and not so immersed in the culture around them.
Alycia says
I am new to homeschooling this year, starting with pre-k. Any advice on planning and how to? THANKS!!!!
Laura says
Here’s what I recommend for Pre-K. It’s what we used for our kids in their younger years, so my husband encouraged me to write it and put it into a book! https://www.heavenlyhomemakers.com/learn-your-letters-learn-to-serve-complete-curriculum-kit
Brooke says
I’m so thankful for my oldest daughter’s compassionate heart! Today in the car she said, totally out of the blue; “Mommy, I pray for Reagan (who was our first born niece/cousin in the family and went to be with Jesus at less than a day old in Feb.) every night, and I pray that Cece and Greg (my sis and BIL) have a new baby that is healthy! I really want a cousin to play with.” Bless her sweet little heart. So I asked her if she would pray for that while we were driving and she did. I just felt this peace that God was going to answer the prayers of my sweet Bekah (6) b/c of her complete trust in God.
[email protected] says
Hi!
Thanks for letting me share my own recipe of helathy and tasty Soda Pop Substitute: Essential Oil “Sassy” Water!
Here’s the link:
http://www.momessentials.net/soda-substitute-essential-oil-water/