The Hardest Thing about Homeschooling

What they don't tell you is that the hardest thing about homeschooling is also one of the best - ALL THE OPTIONS! There are a million curriculum options - do you want online? workbook? living books? religious? secular? Which philosophy do you align with? And within all these options there are zillions of individual options. And don't even get me started on activities! Homeschoolers can literally do ANYTHING they want to do - you can find all the classes, learn any skill. Every other day you hear about another cool opportunity that makes you want to drop all the stuff you just decided you were doing and jump on a new ship!

Most days I love this smorgasbord of choices - but the darker side is that on bad days (we all have them!) it can worm its way into your head and make you DOUBT all of the gazillion decisions you have made. If only I had done _____! Maybe we should have _______! 

I have those days, too. The first couple years were the worst; I feel like I bounced around and second guessed EVERYTHING! Here's what I've learned since then: 

1. For the most part, it doesn't matter. The specific curriculum or book or activity won't matter as much as your connection, attitude, and just being an intentional parent. So make the best choice you can in the moment, and stick with it for a while. Don't be afraid to change it up if you need to, but don't cling too tightly to any curriculum, system, or philosophy. It matters less than you think.

2. Kids are not computers that we can simply program and run. I used to think that if I could only change x or y input, I could "fix" certain things - and when they are babies, that may be true - there are only so many factors and levers to pull - but as they get older, they are truly their own person and have their own agency in how they learn. They own part of that responsibility and I don't have to own every bit of their success or failure. There are other factors within them and their lives and I can let go a little bit. 

3. When it comes time for choosing a system, trust your gut. Do something that YOU can live with and won't burn you out, that you feel good about, and just run with that! When we found project-based learning, it felt like the exact fit we were looking for, and we have been running with it happily for years! When new opportunities or ideas come along, we evaluate them and sometimes incorporate them, but it's with a kind of playful mindset, not a desperate, anxious mindset, if that makes sense. Not taking ourselves too seriously. 

Sometimes February can feel heavy. It's easy to second guess all of those myriad choices we have made. It's a good time to lighten up, focus on connection, and remember that March will be here soon! 

Much love,

Danika

PS - February is also a great time to introduce a family project! It's a fun way to shake things up and re-energize your home!