Today, in 5 days of homeschooling mid-year and thriving. Day 4 At Home Homeschooler is about avoiding the “prove it” trap. Don’t succumb to it.
Socialization, curriculum, record keeping, homeschooling high school and preschool preparedness are some of our secret homeschool fears. Trying to only satisfy requirements and produce proof instead of allowing learning to take place naturally at home can be a pitfall.
We live in a world where our culture dictates that we have proof to show anything that we are doing. For example, I think back to the day we got our marriage license. To give any more thought to the marriage license than just to fulfill the legal requirement is ludicrous to even ponder.
At home is where we practiced years on our marriage that I cherish deeply.
Though important, meeting homeschool legal requirements is just a process too, but to homeschool to only meet legal requirements can impede learning.
We don’t intentionally homeschool to only meet legal requirements, but we are victims of our upbringing and the influence of the present educational world.
A fresh start homeschooling mid-year and to thrive at it requires that we first be at home to practice our new cherished relationships.
It does not mean that we barricade the door to our home, but it means we stand ready to open up the door to new opportunities to experience learning. In today’s homeschool world that is called deschooling.
I have heard many definitions of deschooling, but I want to give you mine.
Deschooling means to get off the public school treadmill which encompasses everything about the way the public system views schedules, socialization, discipline, labeling of children, teacher background, record keeping, college readiness, preparation for reading and education in general and determine what education means for your family.
5 days of Homeschooling Mid-Year
Many homeschoolers start with a textbook in hand and with no more forethought to the process of education at home than just to complete worksheets, assign a test and move on.
This definition by Noah Webster that I share in one of my workshops beckons you to define your meaning of education too.
EDUCATION. The bringing up, as of a child, instruction; formation of manners. Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations. To give children a good education in manners, arts and science, is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties.
Bring your children home, but define your meaning of education also. Step back, breathe and brace yourself up for a lifestyle that will fit your family for a lifetime.
Deschooling also means substituting other activities now in your life that are family centered instead of self-centered on one member of the family.
It can mean taking numerous field trips in one month, taking a family vacation and even getting caught up on much needed rest. It may mean adjusting the eating habits of your family. The definition by Noah Webster broadens our term of educating a family beyond the academics.
The length of the deschooling process is different for everyone, but it should be examined at various points during our homeschool journey.
When a schedule is jammed packed full of outside activities because we fear that our children may not be socialized, then our focus has shifted from the needs of our family to the world’s idea of socialization.
Maybe we forced one child in tears to finish an assignment because the world told us that teaches accountability. Deep down in our heart though our mommy voice may be calling out that our child is suffocating and his self confidence is diminishing.Time is needed to examine and heal those emotions.
At home homeschooling means that we have had enough time at home pondering our definition of education, applying it to our children and celebrating the calming effects on our family.
For some families it has meant several months of being home together so that sibling relationships are nurtured and so that parents become the teen’s greatest friend. Some families find that it takes a whole year before they feel that they have embraced the homeschooling lifestyle.
It does not mean that you do not school but it means that you now determine how the knowledge you are teaching will fit into your definition of education.
Outside intervening pressure to conform to a norm that does not work for our family has now been kept to a minimum. Our culture upbringing still looms close by when fear sets in or when we fail. Pressure to conform to the norm that we left behind will always be here.
At home teaching our children everyday will give us the courage to keep trying when we succumb to pressures. Shedding educational-ese and accepting a new mind-set only happens when we have had sufficient time at home to contemplate all our ideas on education.
No one sets out on their journey to live a double life style.
It happens easily when we try to keep one foot in the public school by keeping pace with the scope and sequence and one foot at home.
Courage is a necessity for all at home homeschoolers so you are not alone.
Detox from public school by deschooling and rediscover how easy learning can take place at home without limits or confinements by embracing your definition of education.
Hugs and you know I love ya,
Did you miss the first three days in 5 days of Homeschooling Mid-Year and Thriving?
5 days of Homeschooling Mid-Year and Thriving. Day 1 Mind-set Matters
5 days of Homeschooling Mid-Year and Thriving. Day 2 Mission Accomplished
5 days of Homeschooling Mid-Year and Thriving. Day 3 Forward Looking–Planning!
Grab some more to read here:
5 Days of the Benefits & Challenges of Teaching Mixed Ages Together
Homeschooling Middle School Doesn’t Always Mean Middle Way
