Homeschool: Scheduling and other stuff

There are many different approaches to homeschooling, there really is no "one size fits all". We have tried several approaches within our own family over the last 10 years ourselves, and I am sure that we will try other things in the future. During the time that my husband pastored, we did a lot of work in the church. While this is good, our basic school suffered.

Here is what we are doing this year:

• Mostly textbooks, Rod & Staff (with a little Abeka for my high schooler)
• Non-fiction DVD's from the library
• no classes, field trips, gym days, etc...
• no homeschool group

Doing this has really helped our family to get back on track. Not that homeschool groups, gym days, etc are bad, those were just things that we had to cut out to get our family back to where we need to be. Maybe next year, we will add those things back in. We will see. We will be taking a week off at the end of each quarter to do some fun things. The important thing to remember (and it can be sooo hard at times!) is that you need to do what is right for your family!

Something else to consider is that for many families, the family dynamics are constantly changing. One school year you may have babies & toddlers (which puts a lovely twist to any one's school day), the next year, that baby will be a toddler and the toddler will be a pre-schooler. There could be a new pregnancy, your olders are maturing more, etc... Constant changing.

This year, we have no pregnancy, babies, or toddlers. I have to admit, it is a little odd. We have been able to get much more done. Something that I wish I knew then is: Don't beat yourself up for not getting "enough" done! Treasure the little times, make memories with your kids, don't say no to things just for the sake of saying no. A friend and I were recently talking and we both admitted we have done this. I have found myself saying no for absolutely no reason other than my own laziness. How sad.

A wise saying that I heard from MOMYS several years ago is "While the days are so long, the years are very short". How true! What is the goal? What is the bigger picture? What vision do you have for your children? Do you pray daily for each of your children? Do you want them to "do school" well? Of course, we all want our kids to have a good education, but we also want them to love the Lord, to be able to minister to others, to be compassionate to their siblings, to honor mom and dad, etc...things that you can't learn from a textbook.

If only I knew then what I know now...