Hey there, awesome moms!
Welcome back to my blog, WTM – Where Things are Magical. I’m super stoked to have you here today as we embark on the thrilling journey through my homeschool adventures. If you caught my previous post, “The Mom,” you might remember a few tidbits about our decision to dive into homeschooling. And if not, no worries! I promise this isn’t a copy-paste job. I’m keeping it fresh and delightful for all you fabulous returning mommas.
Now, before we jump into my homeschooling escapades, let’s get real. I’m no child educator guru, folks. I’m just a mom who’s done her homework to navigate the homeschooling maze and uncover nifty tricks and tips that work for my clan. Remember, what floats our boat might not be your cup of tea, and that’s A-okay. Kids are as unique as snowflakes, so embrace the trial-and-error adventure! Please handle my homeschool hints and recommendations with care, and maybe a pinch of glitter.
Ever pondered the thought, “Should I homeschool?” If you answered yes, you’re in good company. Back in the day when my husband and I were school-goers, hearing about homeschooling was like discovering a unicorn – rare and almost mythical. If you’d asked me then if I’d be a homeschool mom someday, I’d have laughed it off. Why homeschool when you can send ’em to school, right? Fast forward to the time when our first little scholar reached school age. Like any typical mom, the idea of preschool or kindergarten made me teary-eyed. How can it be time for that already? Wasn’t it just yesterday that I was surviving sleepless nights and cuddling my sweet baby? Whether we like it or not, time zips by, and the daunting task of picking the right preschool sneaks up on you like a ninja. In our case, we were in the middle of a move, and after much debate, we decided that I would take on the role of preschool teacher extraordinaire at home.
Once we made that call, I dusted off my laptop and dived headfirst into research mode. I scoured traditional preschool curricula and unleashed the Pinterest wizard in me to find fun activities that would help prep my kiddo for the big, wide world of kindergarten. I also snagged a few books – “The Ultimate Toddler Activity Guide,” “Toddler Lesson Plans Learning ABCs,” “Toddler Lesson Plans Learning Colors,” “Learning Numbers Workbook,” and the “Ultimate Kindergarten Prep Guide” by the amazing Autumn McKay. Fun fact: Autumn is a mom too, and her warm introductions in her books, along with her educational background, gave me the guidance I needed to teach preschool. At that point, we planned to homeschool preschool and then send our son to the nearest elementary school for kindergarten. I felt confident, perhaps a tad nervous, but hey, it seemed pretty straightforward at this stage. I crafted my own schedule, set up a daily routine, and pieced together a curriculum based on my research. As every mom knows, time flies, and I probably don’t need to tell you that because, let’s face it, days come and go faster than the latest TikTok trend. The first day of our “school” arrived, and I was a bundle of nerves. Anxiety kicked in, and the “what-ifs” barged in like an unwelcome guest who refuses to leave. Questions and doubts flooded my mind. At that point, we also had our second child in tow. So, not only was I nervous about teaching my preschooler, but I also had to keep a very hands-on little one entertained. Piece of cake, right?
By the end of that first day, I felt accomplished, though still a tad worried. But the first-day jitters eventually faded away. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and before I knew it, the year was over. I did it! Correction, we did it. Over the course of that year, I’m not sure who learned more – my toddler or myself. All those preconceived notions I had about homeschooling were shattered. I discovered a passion and a newfound love for witnessing my son’s face light up when he learned something new or the pure joy he experienced when we completed a new learning activity. It was an indescribable feeling of happiness that I never knew was possible.
Summer rolled around, and we faced a crucial decision. To enroll in kindergarten or not to enroll in kindergarten, that was the question. My son and I had a blast on our learning adventure the previous year, but the negative stereotypes surrounding homeschooling and the input from well-meaning friends and family made it challenging to decide. Not to mention, I was about to welcome our third child. Emotions ran high, and finding the balance between playing supermom, teaching one, and keeping a toddler and a new baby content was no small feat. So, we did what any parent would do when faced with uncertainty – we asked our child. We explained what a typical school day would be like, based on our experiences. To our surprise, our son chose to do kindergarten at home. I was touched that the preschool experience I had created left such a positive impression. But I couldn’t help feeling a tad apprehensive about the new challenges and differences this new year would bring.
So, when in doubt…you Google it, right? That’s the spirit! I googled everything homeschool-related – subjects to teach, homeschool laws, regulations – you name it, I googled it. I told myself that if I was going to commit to this, I was going to rock it. Now, let’s be clear, we have nothing against the public school system. There’s a quote that sums up our feelings perfectly: “It’s not that I’m worried if my kids go to public school they won’t turn out ‘okay.’ Homeschooling is about so much more. The family time is a treasure. The relationships, the learning, the lifestyle, the discipleship. It’s not about keeping them from something but about giving them something. It doesn’t shelter; it frees!” – Karen Debeus. Whether you’re here to get a sneak peek into homeschooling, you’re intrigued, or you think we’re crazy for homeschooling, I’m here to tell you that whatever educational path you choose for your family, I support you. There’s zero judgment from this mama! And if you’re looking to homeschool and don’t know where to start, I’ve got your back, my friend. I’ll continue to offer guidance based on my personal experiences.
During my Google sessions, I stumbled upon the homeschool requirements for Utah, where we’re based. If you’re considering homeschooling, this is the first place to check. Luckily, Utah keeps it simple, requiring just a signed and notarized document stating your child will be homeschooled, and you accept responsibility for their education. The beauty (or challenge, depending on how you see it) is that everything you teach is entirely up to you. There’s no guide or set of instructions, and believe me, I looked. But don’t let that scare you. Remember, when in doubt, Google, Google, Google.
Once the legalities were squared away, it was time to plan the year. Now, there are tons of pre-made curriculaum out there for kindergarten, some free, some for a fee. However, none of them quite met my expectations. The more I looked, the more discouraged I became. It wasn’t until I realized that with homeschooling, we have the freedom to do things our way that I perked up. While I still wanted to ensure we met grade-level standards, I had a vision that seemed nearly impossible. So, I decided to piece together my own curriculum. You’re probably thinking I’m nuts, and some days, I’d agree with you. But after much research, book-buying, and even a few returns, I managed to assemble what I thought was a pretty darn impressive kindergarten year. I was ready to roll! Just like the previous year, days flew by. Before I knew it, we had completed another year. My son and I were basking in the glow of accomplishment, so, naturally, we had our own little celebration.
After a few weeks of summer fun, it was time to revisit the homeschool decision for the next year. But this year, there was a twist! I was feeling pretty confident in my ability to provide a successful educational experience. However, life has a way of throwing you curveballs just when you’re getting comfortable. This year, my second child was ready for preschool, and baby number four was well on the way, set to make her arrival in the middle of the upcoming school year. Now, instead of teaching just one child, I’d have two kids in different grades and two little ones to keep entertained. If you’re thinking, “Holy moly!” – trust me, I had the same thought. So, can you guess what I did next? You got it – back to Google! See, you’re catching on. After devouring countless articles and blog posts, I came to the conclusion that this year might be a bit of trial and error.
Fun fact about me: I’m a big-time planner. I’m constantly making lists, and I find solace in organization and detailed scheduling. So, not knowing how exactly this was going to work out was quite the surprise for all of us. Balancing occasional doubt with a can-do attitude, I hit the books and created not just one curriculum for a big first-grader but one for an eager-to-learn preschooler too. Now, why didn’t I save myself some trouble and use the previous preschool curriculum? Good question. I really wanted my kids to engage in learning together while still progressing at their own educational levels. To achieve that goal, I had to craft a coordinating schedule with fun activities and hands-on learning combined with individual core learning. I’m thrilled to report that I accomplished what I set out to do. The year flew by, and the love I thought I had for teaching one child grew, and my love for being a homeschool mom blossomed in ways I never imagined possible.
The next year arrived with fewer doubts and more excitement than the previous. With each passing year and new grade level, the amount of growth we experienced was nothing short of remarkable. I can confidently say that we’ve completed another year and are currently soaking up summer break. Sadly, summer’s end is approaching, and it’s time to gear up for the next year. Before any preparation begins, we always have a family discussion to determine if the kids want to continue homeschooling or give public school a try. So far, the answers have been unanimous – they want to keep homeschooling. While I’d support either choice, it humbles me as a mom that they’re enjoying the educational environment we work so hard to create. But, as I mentioned, once you settle into a rhythm, there’s always something to shake things up! This year, that shake comes in the form of my third child, who will be joining our journey for her first year of preschool, with the fourth little one following closely behind. It’s going to be a new adventure, but I’m ready to conquer this latest addition to our amazing journey.
I can say with absolute certainty that my perspective on homeschooling has completely transformed from what it was in my youth. Nowadays, homeschooling is more accepted and common for various reasons. Tamara L. Chilver put it perfectly when she said, “Homeschooling allows you the freedom to step off the highway of learning and take a more scenic route along a dirt road.” I couldn’t agree more, and I can’t wait to continue sharing our growth and learning with all you fantastic mamas. Here’s to all the amazing moms out there, creating magic every day! Happy Homeschooling!
Because every mom deserves a dose of inspiration!
