You fill in the blank, no matter what you say it is likely true and can be used to describe a day I’ve probably had at some point in my homeschool experience so far. It has not been a long journey, albeit, less than one year so far, but it has been a lot for both me and Greyson. My hope is that my story will help you in your journey!
I will admit, I did VERY little research when it came to homeschooling, but I naturally lean towards trial by fire. This experience, like a lot of my other life experiences, will be a hell of my own creation… Now that you know a bit about me, on with the story.
We started in September 2021 when he would have started public kindergarten. All his other friends started kindergarten, I thought he should stay on track with them. Well, I found out after later research that a lot of homeschool families choose not to start until they are 7, so that was my first “huh” moment with this journey. I also had this super type A idea of how school should go for him which, obviously, included cramming all the possible subjects into his day. I’m talking Spanish, reading, writing, sign language, geography, earth science, and math. I can’t tell you how many people commented (gently) about how I was maybe doing too much.
I had learned so much about myself by January that year, mostly that I knew absolutely nothing about educating a child, so… ya. I had to do something I despise doing, admitting I was wrong, ripping the stitch (knitting term for you nerds) and starting over. I started doing things like research, listening to podcasts, talking to people in my life that can speak child brain to me. By mid February we were on a way better space and we were practicing giving each other grace. We both needed so much grace.
Now we are doing about 2 to 3 hours Tu/We/Th and practicing a hybrid style between online education programs for about an hour and then logic workbooks, writing, and reading. I try to make the writing fun because he doesn’t seem to enjoy things that he needs to practice. I believe we are working through some dyslexia type obstacles, so we do things like writing in chalk on the sidewalk, dry erase on the windows, and sometime bring out the bathtub crayons (these are annoying to clean up so I don’t use them as much anymore).
If you take anything away from this blog post as a stressed out new homeschool parent, here are my big takeaways:
- Listen to your kiddo in their language transcribe their actions into what they are trying to tell you they need this can look so many different ways so pay close attention to why they do what they do
- STOP comparing your child and your schooling experience to others, you are doing this to have a unique connection to your child – stop trying to make it live up to what your friend’s child is doing
- You will likely spend a lot of time and money on things that do not work, do not hesitate to start over if you think a particular strategy is landing
- Ask for help from trusted sources, don’t get caught up in education labels like Montessori or STEM or blah blah. Think about YOUR kiddo, what work for them? Diversify your knowledge – choose one book, one podcast, one friend, and one blog. Get some base info, build a foundation, and go from there. Not too much, not too little, just enough information is my suggested way to build what works
Good luck! I am not an expert, and I will never claim to be. This is and intro into my homeschool journey and I wanted to share it. It has been a struggle, and I lack a network in my area which makes it harder still, and we are not religious which seems to be a great source of support. I am trying anything I think will stick and will continue to build on it as I find things that work! I have included a list of links below to things that we are currently using and where we get our supplies.
- Online Cirriculum: Power Homeschool
- iPad program: Khan Academy Kids
- Books Greyson reads to me: Bob books, Usborne books
- Books I read to Greyson: Magic Treehouse Series
- We had a friend that gifted us the box of the first 28 and it was a huge hit – he would read two of his books from above to me, and I would read two chapters of Magic Treehouse to him.
Please reach out or comment if you have questions or just want to commiserate! I am so here for that…
Also, just in case someone hasn’t told you yet today, you’re a great parent and you are appreciated! Give yourself grace and you will do great things for your mini…
City to Gritty 