While you don’t need to know advanced calculus or psychology to homeschool your kids, there are some key things you do need to know. Here are the main truths every homeschool mom needs to know about her kids.
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Whether you’re a mom considering homeschooling for the first time, or a veteran homeschool mom who needs reminded of these simple facts, here’s what you need to know before you homeschool your kids – for the first time or for another year.
What do I need to know before I homeschool the kids?
Have you asked: “What do I need to know before I homeschool the kids?” It’s probably not what you think. It’s much simpler.
Listen to the Podcast!
If you’d rather listen than read, here’s episode 208 of the Homeschool with Moxie Podcast. You’ll find links to what we discuss here in the post.
You won’t ruin them
Many parents are afraid to jump into homeschooling because they just so sure that they’ll ruin their kids. Listen carefully: you won’t.
Take the pressure off yourself that you need to teach your kids every little bit of knowledge that they could possibly need later in life!
You will never teach your kids everything. Did you learn everything in school? Not a chance!
There will always be “gaps” in everyone’s education.
Teach your kids how to learn, nurture their love of learning and natural curiosity about the world around them, and they will be well-served to be life long learners.
They will learn best the way they learn best
When you first start homeschooling, it’s a bit of a dance – you’re trying to find your footing as the homeschool mom and instructor, while your kids are getting into the groove of how they learn best.
If your kids are transitioning from a traditional school setting into public school, then consider deschooling for a bit before jumping into the academics.
With homeschooling five very different kids, I’ve learned the hard way that what might work for one child may not work for another. This is especially true if you throw dyslexia or other learning challenges into the mix.
Give yourself grace and give it to your kids too. Be flexible in your homeschool plans to allow for the best possible learning environment for your kids.
It’s okay to change things up if they’re not working! Because if you try to shove a square peg in a round hole, you will get frustration all the way around and the learning you were hoping would happen will be the last thing on anyone’s minds!
You’ll love episode 133 of the Homeschool with Moxie Podcast where we discussed how you can use your child’s strengths as you homeschool them. Dr. Kathy Koch talked us through the 8 Smarts and how to use them to customize your homeschooling.
They’re naturally curious (don’t school it out of them)
You need to know that kids are naturally curious when they come into this world. When given exciting things to touch, manipulate, discover, and play with, kids will continue to crave those rich learning environments.
Don’t school it out of them!
This is why very young kids need lots of unstructured play time. Don’t push the academics too early.
- How to Teach Preschool at Home (spoiler alert: you don’t really need to!)
- Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling Kindergarten
This is why I don’t use printables as the backbone of homeschooling. If you’re not sure what to do instead of a big pile of worksheets, then here are some alternatives to printables.
Get your heads out of the textbooks and into the world around you – take field trips, nature walks, discuss current events and enjoy learning together.
Homeschooling will open up such a wonderful relationship with your kids. Sure, we all have bad days and want to throw in the towel. But with homeschooling, you get to be the main influence in your child’s life – not their teachers or peers.
So, if you’re hesitant to homeschool because you think you just might ruin your kids, I’m here to tell you – they’re much more resilient than that!
Embrace homeschooling for the flexibility it provides to give your kids a customized education that fits their learning needs. And don’t replicate school at home – because you want to fan the flame of their natural love of learning and curiosity about the world around them.
Homeschool mom, you can do this!
You can find the entire series here >> Key Things Every Homeschool Mom Need to Know.
Related Posts:
- 88 Things First Time Homeschooling Moms Need to Know
- 4 Things Every Homeschool Mom Needs to Know About Her Homeschool Space
- Secrets of Moms who Homeschool with Moxie
- Narration Cheat Sheet
