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Whose homeschool is it anyway?

Homeschooling Ideas Blog Posted on by

One of the big problems I have had with my homeschooling is that there are so many people blogging about it!

I love that there are lots of homeschoolers around – and all the wonderful information and homeschool ideas available in blogs, books, groups, and furums. But I do feel like I get pulled this way and that. I get seduced by one person’s great curriculum, or anothers photos of the wonderful craft she is doing with her children.

And it makes me feel inadequate.

I want to be good at homeschooling. But that definition of ‘good’ does seem to move around an awful lot depending on what I am reading at the time.

I have been wondering what a model for the best homeschool looks like.  What if I stacked up the best 100 homeschool families (assuming we can agree on who they were!) and then broke down into chunks what they did, and how they did it – what would such a schedule look like? Would I have a formula that I could follow that would guarantee  success?

I suspect that even if it was the most beautiful, streamlined and unique schedule in the world, it wouldn’t work well for us. I know that by day 2 I would be tweaking! I would be thinking ‘yeah, but…if I just did it this way instead’!

I guess using someone elses schedule is like trying to wear someone elses shoes. No matter how good they look they probably wouldn’t fit very well. And who likes blisters! I think I am more of a ‘sneakers’ type of girl!

Our families are all unique and face different challenges. We don’t need to measure ourselves by other peoples standards. So I guess it is time to relax and have confidence that our unique way of working is the only way that will work for us. And be proud of our idiosyncrasies!

The only homeschooling method that will work for me is one that fits MY family –

and the same goes for you.

 

 

 

Comments

Whose homeschool is it anyway? — 11 Comments

  1. Well said! We’ve been homeschooling for ten years. It took me quite a while to realize that things run way smoother around here when I back away from the internet. I used to fall for every new curriculum and method and wasted a lot of money. Now we just do what works and enjoy our lives. I do enjoy your site though! 🙂

  2. And we need to encourage other homeschoolers to do what works for them. Yes such and such a “program” might work great for me but that doesn’t mean it will work for you and/or your child(ren). Same with schedules, learning methods etc., etc., I believe this is the true serendipity of homeschooling that one size doesn’t fit all – we get to custom fit shoes for our children – how awesome is that!

    • You are so right Lori. We all need to be more supportive of our differences I guess. I do meet a lot of homeschoolers who think their way is the only right way LOL!

  3. Oh! I am so glad it isn’t just me. At times I feel like I am going around in circles. Spent a lovely half and hour reading your blog and website. I have decided that I don’t need to follow wholly someone else’s ideas, just take the bits I want and adapt to me and mine!

    • Oh good for you Tina. I know when I do follow my own instincts things work out better for us – so it is a case of not being swayed so often!

  4. I needed this reminder, Julie. I think I forgot one of the most important reasons I started homeschooling, to give my son an education tailored to his personality, learning style and needs. Obviously if I’m doing that, my homeschool is going to be different!

    • Yes Camie, exactly. I have just posted a quote on my facebook page – “They laugh at me because I am different. I laugh at them because they are all the same” (Kurt Cobain). We have to keep reminding ourselves that different is good!!

  5. Pingback:9/11 Carnival of Homeschooling : In Remembrance

  6. We’ve been homeschooling for almost eleven years now, so I’m happy to report that this feeling does go away, eventually!
    I used to fret and worry and feel mightily inadequate.
    One day you will relax and realize that your journey is absolutely unique!

    Thank you for the post!

    • Thanks Karen. That is a big comfort! So far I just feel I am exchanging worries. From ‘will they ever read?’ to ‘will they get a job?’ Lol!

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