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Day 22 Homeschooling Preschoolers And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today is day 22 homeschooling preschoolers of the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. 

You’re tough, you’re tough! You have hung in there with me on this series and this is the official 10 day countdown.

Before I started homeschooling I had read an article where it said that the major portion of an individual’s personality is well established before school.

Day 22 Homeschooling Preschoolers And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Suddenly, my ideas of homeschool preschool learning changed because I realized that those years would form the very attitudes and patterns that would be lasting. WHOA!

And I had thought preschool was all about coloring and ABC’s.

Certainly, homeschooling preschoolers is so important because it’s the very foundation of all future learning.

Homeschooling Preschoolers

I knew that if I didn’t find a balance between easy going and exacting that anxiety, doubt, worry and fear would drive me to the public school. Guess what? It did.

Doubt turned to fear, fear turned to feelings of failure and feeling he was already behind in kindergarten, I sent him to public school for part of that year.

Let me tell you the rest of this story by telling what I did and did not do before I sent him to Kindergarten.

I did

  • teach him how to write and read by Kindergarten.
  • play, do crafts and learn music.
  • keep the roads hot and heavy by traveling to all kinds of field trips and museums.
  • sing nursery rhymes to him.
  • read from beautiful books and cuddle every day.

I did not

  • know, let alone worry about standards because I was blissfully ignorant about any kind of standard.
  • use a formal curriculum program. Brighter Vision Learning Adventures is a box that came each month to my home with a bright colored workbook, a craft, a book and music.  Mr. Senior 2013 loved it and I loved it too. It no longer is in business.
  • worry about socialization because we had music classes and gymnastics.
  • stop worrying about what is coming up in the next grade and this led to me sending him back to public school.

Looking back now and after the first few days of public school Kindergarten, I realized that he was way advanced.

Tips for Homeschooling Preschoolers

It’s true that children are hardy, I just wished that I would have aimed for soaking up cherished moments.

I didn’t know Kindergarten was about learning to read and write. I put extreme pressure on Mr. Senior 2013 to perform.

What I have learned is that preschool is just that!! PRE- means BEFORE school.

That is the time to focus on “readiness” skills. That is NOT the time that our children learn to hold a pencil grip correctly, but that is the time to train them to hold it correctly.

This is NOT done by holding a pencil, but by playing games, being outside and doing crafts that help them learn fine motor skills.

Children are capable of so much more during these years than we sometimes give them credit for.

Burnout out looms in Kindergarten or first grade because “formal school” started way too earlier.

You have to let go of the feeling that your child will be behind because you spent the day doing crafts, playing and reading and that surely there should be something more “serious” that you should be doing.

It is not easy to combat the thinking of the education world that early teaching has to be formal. Children learn by play.

There is a reason we learned all those fun nursery rhymes and that is because memorization and hearing word patterns is a skill set need for reading.

How to Homeschool Preschoolers

Mustering up the courage to take my son back out of school during his Kindergarten year was not easy, but I had learned a VERY valuable lesson.

No longer would I question what I done even in my ignorance.

The struggle empowered me to put faith back into the naturalness of homeschooling. I know not everyone homeschools for faith based reasons and I respect that in my workshops.

For me though it is the very core of my homeschooling.

Parents have been given the responsibility of educating our children and viewing it as the next extension of parenting helps you to meet the challenge.

During their toddler years and preschool years I have rocked, talked and cuddled and read to my sons and it has given them an excellent start to their formal education. Homeschooling with preschoolers is not for the faint hearted, but home is for the brave.

Will you meet the challenge?

Have you missed any of the previous post on this series?

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

1 – 7 Start with the Homeschool Basics

8-14 Homeschool Organization 101 for Beginners

15 – 21 Best tips for New Homeschoolers Choosing Curriculum

22- 28 Homeschool Preschoolers, Highschoolers, and Unique Learners

In addition look at these other resources for homeschooling preschoolers.

Other Homeschooling Preschoolers Resources

Finally, look at some of these curriculum resources.

Curriculum For Homeschooling Preschool

12 Homeschooling Preschoolers Resources, Activities, and Curriculum

There is no doubt play-based learning is hands down the best way for preschoolers to learn.

You'll love some of these resources which can help you both teach and schedule if you want to do a bit more formal teaching.

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Day 22 Homeschooling Preschoolers And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
Day 22: Homeschoolers with Preschoolers - Truth or Dare?

Day 13: Streamlined Record Keeping And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Day 13 streamline record keeping is about homeschool record keeping for Day 13 of the free 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. 

I confess that when I first started homeschooling, record keeping was one fact weighing heavy on my mind.

It even affected my view of homeschooling not for the long term. I admit it.

I was sure that when the time came that I would send my son to high school because I felt he would be missing out on something. (By the way, my first son graduated 2013 and the other ones never ever went to high school. Too much goodness at home.)

Day 13: Streamlined Record Keeping And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Little did I appreciate then that my son’s high school years would be filled with unique, precious, memorable, practical and rigorous skills that I could offer him as I continued homeschooling. 

Record keeping would be a cinch. But, I will save my rant on that until Day 25: Homeschooling Happily Through High School.

Streamlined Record Keeping

Then to complicate my stress level about record keeping in my humble beginnings I lived in fear or at least had some anxiety about the homeschool laws changing so drastically that I would be called on to produce documents for my children at a moment’s notice.

Somewhere lurked the homeschool police that only lived in my community.

As my confession continues, I touched on Day 7:Tied Up With Testing of negative effects of schooling when you school by the “what if” mentality.

All I managed to do was have sleepless nights and worry got me nowhere.

I feel better now that I confessed.

Although it would be nice to be worry-free, the truth of it is that it is hard to homeschool completely stress free.

Any challenge brings responsibility, but it also brings life time benefits that have been worth every bit of self-imposed distress.

It really is a wonder that I even managed to have enough energy to focus on teaching my sons.

So I hope that I can ease your fears and lighten your load by explaining how to approach this subject.

5 Reasons to Homeschool Record Keep

Dividing this up into topics, you can determine where along the record keeping path you are at right now.

5 Reasons to Record Keep When Homeschooling @ Tina Dynamic Homeschool plus

What to Keep?

As you can see from the above reasons to record keep, it can really be divided into two categories.

Unofficial documents or those that are for your eyes only and official documents that are mostly needed for high school and college.

Relax if you have younger children because you have plenty of time to mull over a method that will work for you.

My method changed drastically when I worried about this in Kindergarten and then when my son actually got to high school. You will be a pro by then.

Unofficial Record Keeping.

  • Keep their “first” writing assignments.
  • Keep awards earned.
  • Keep crafts.
  • Keep first drawings.
  • Keep first hands-on designs and projects.
  • Keep standardized tests you administer.

Keep things you decide YOU can’t part with.

{I have tried not to shed a tear as I have been writing this series, but long tears stream when I see their work in preschool and I end up keeping most of it.)

Official Record Keeping.

Whether you have to report to an agency or not, you want their grades in high school documented.

  • Keep field trip logs.
  • Keep awards earned.
  • Keep up with community volunteer service.
  • Keep up with trips abroad for older students.
  • Keep work records.
  • Keep attendance records.
  • Keep standardized tests.
  • Keep a diary or journal.

Where am I suppose to keep all of this?

One thing we all have in common is that most of us clamor for more book shelves and room for our lifestyle that is quickly growing with books and supplies.

However, where and how to store and keep records and deciding what to keep and not keep is very different for each homeschooler.

Look at these solutions below.

  • Can you take a picture or scan items, then toss it?
  • A virtual online year book can store memories.

Folders, expandable pocket folders color coordinated for each child, and color coordinated notebooks for each child works too. I used the system for a while and even notebooks.

Streamlined Record Keeping - 31 Days of New Bee Homeschooler Blog Boot Camp

BUT, after 5, 6 and more years down the road, it can get more challenging.

Streamlined Record Keeping - 31 Days of New Bee Homeschooler Blog Boot Camp
image

Long Term Homeschool Storage @ Tinas Dynamic Homeschool Plus

For many years, I have used press board report covers by Wilson Jones side bound, pressboard because I could extend the brads as I added in work and the covers were moisture resistant as I put away each year in the attic.

This is the kind of folder where the top and back cover are two separate pieces. I have one color for each child and labeled by grade. Too, I wanted something where the pages could hang out or extend because a lot of work in younger grades is on bigger paper.

Because this is stored away in totes in the attic, it is okay if the pages stick out because the binders are stored upright.

Using thick notebooks is good too for long term storage if it will be kept in a cool area and you can add pockets for storing small crafts that you can’t part with when they were preschoolers. I have separate pockets for storing things like that.

Another thought is to coil bind some of your papers.

Your office supply guy make not like seeing you come, but then again you are storing memories. I actually have some of my boy’s math papers coil bound because they are mostly the same size.

Hidden Storage Places in Your Home

Hidden storage spaces like attics, the top part of a closet, underneath the stairs and underneath the bed provide excellent places to store long term.

Source: Home DIT (Please Pin from Original Sources)

Padded storage trunks or chest that doubles as a night stand or table is also a wonderful niche for storing long term items. Company that sits in your living room will never know that under that beautiful table is a hidden treasure of several years of work.

If you keep more than you need for the first few years, it is okay.

Security counts when you are new to homeschooling and you are the only one to determine at night if you sleep sound because you kept a field trip log.

You can come back later and declutter because then you will see that your children are making progress.

Streamlined record keeping is a must in homeschool, but it can be personal, unique and distinct to your needs. Even in high school, you can accomplish stream line record keeping.

Embrace record keeping.

Too, I’m going to switch gears here on you.

Who is Tina Robertson

But before you can appreciate how I can help you here are are a few things about me. Sure, this free new homeschooler boot camp is all about you.

However, you need to know that I’m not new to the homeschool world.  

It has been several years since I wrote this series and I want to update you on my successes. And I’ve helped HUNDREDS get on the road to homeschooling.

Too, I have 3 homeschooled grads. So I’m well past having my oldest kid being 10 years old.

But the best part is that what I have for you works.

Also, look at a few other things about me.

And I have a detailed self-paced online homeschool Kickstarter course. It is a detailed comprehensive course for first time homeschoolers.

That is enough about me.

This new homeschoolers free boot camp is about you. I’ve not only been helping new homeschoolers in person, but here at my site for years.

I cherish keeping my children’s hard work and seeing my earlier mistakes.

Start slowly by adjusting your thinking to realize that you have the flexibility and freedom to make and adjust any “official” records that you may need. Control does allay fears. You are the teacher now.

Have you determined what you will keep and have a starting out niche to keep it in?

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

Days 1 – 7 of the 31 day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

How to Organize When You’re New to Homeschooling

Days 8-12 of the 31 day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

Day 13: Streamlined Record Keeping And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Streamlined Record Keeping - 31 Days of New Bee Homeschooler Blog Boot Camp

Day 7: Tied Up with Homeschool Testing? And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

What about standardized testing for homeschoolers? Today tied up with testing is day 7 of the free 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. 

If there is one pointed question I get repeatedly in my workshops, it is how do I go about testing my children?

My knee jerk answer to this question would be WHY?

Thankfully, I have never responded that way.

However, there should be a purpose for everything you choose to do in homeschooling.

Day 7: Tied Up with Homeschool Testing? And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

You can’t decide if testing is right for your family unless you think about your goals and have some background information on testing.

Instead of focusing on explaining the myriads of tests and how to do it, I feel as a new homeschooler you need to have time to decide if you want to or not.

I will, however, put links at the bottom to explain some of the them, but again I encourage you to pause and focus on the fact if it would benefit your family or not at this time.

Determine Your Purpose for Testing

Some homeschool parents just assume that you have to test when you start to homeschool.

Until I started homeschooling, I did not think that testing could be used for any other reason than to measure one child against another.

From my public school experience as a student that is all I remember. There are many reasons to test and some of the more main streamed ones are:

  1. To diagnose areas of weakness or strengths in your children.
  2. To evaluate what is age-appropriate knowledge.
  3. To place for entrance into colleges or to determine scholarship money.

I have used testing for the reasons listed above.

But also for something not so mainstream and that is for memory retention purposes. I have used old tests put out by the state of Texas to test my children. The tests are free and I printed them and administer them in a test environment.

Seeing what was on the test help me to determine if I wanted to cover other concepts in math and other areas of history.

Though we left public school so that we do not have to stay in sync with it, there is nothing wrong with getting an expanded view of what other children who are the same ages as yours are learning.

I have created our unit studies based on a question we saw on a test because I realized we wanted to know more about that subject.

Other parents want their children familiar with the environment of a test no matter how much anxiety their children have.

Tips for When Testing is Appropriate

If you live in a state that requires accountability, then you will need to test.

However, you can ease testing anxiety by perhaps using another homeschool mom to test your child in a more homeschool friendly environment.

Tension can be eased somewhat because the child is familiar with the other homeschool children and teacher.

Up until high school, a lot of homeschool parents choose to test informally.

The Scholastic Assessment Test or SAT is just really a “readiness test” that tests logic and critical thinking skills.

Although it’s an important test if you want your child to go to college and get scholarship money, your high school teen can still prepare for it.

A SAT test can be important to prove mastery of material for college admissions.

Testing

Testing Can Be Harmful

Many times I have seen parents who plan to fail homeschool their first year.

Unintentionally, they have a “what if we go back to public school mentality” that they do not let go of when they start to homeschool.

On Day 3: What is NOT Homeschooling and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp I talked about what is not homeschooling.

Adding to that list of what is not homeschooling, I add that it does not mean to keep pace with the public school.

One of the greatest inhibitors to letting go of the way the public school does things is fear.

If you commit more time to making homeschooling work for you instead of thinking one day you will return to homeschool, you’ll have a more meaningful year.

I don’t say this lightly because I am one of “those” homeschoolers who thought that the public school would offer my sons something better than I could. At first, I did not plan with eternity in mind.

Testing your child constantly to keep up with his peers to prepare for the what if is living in fear.

My mind-set changed because I viewed my sons as gifts that were given to me.

I thought back to the day that I held my first born. Just because sleepless nights, constant rocking and probably over parenting followed, it never crossed my mind to give up or give him back. 

Too, I’m going to switch gears here on you.

Who is Tina Robertson

But before you can appreciate how I can help you here are are a few things about me. Sure, this free new homeschooler boot camp is all about you.

However, you need to know that I’m not new to the homeschool world. It has been several years since I wrote this series and I want to update you on my successes. And I’ve helped HUNDREDS get on the road to homeschooling.

Too, I have 3 homeschooled grads. So I’m well past having my oldest kid being 10 years old.

But the best part is that what I have for you works.

Also, look at a few other things about me.

And I have a detailed self-paced online homeschool Kickstarter course. It is a detailed comprehensive course for first time homeschoolers.

That is enough about me.

This new homeschoolers free boot camp is about you. I’ve not only been helping new homeschoolers in person, but here at my site for years.

Do you view your homeschool year as a trial period or for the duration? Your view of your lifestyle change affects how you will view testing.

Testing can be a valuable tool if you wield it to benefit your family or it can undermine a child’s self confidence. I do know that a test will never be able to measure all that we have learned along the way and it can never identify the uniqueness of each child.

Don’t be tied up with testing. Become familiar with the various types of testing, then determine if it will work for your family.

Homeschool Testing Resources

Day 7: Tied Up with Homeschool Testing? And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Days 1 – 6 of the 31 Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

Day 7. Tied Up with Testing? 31 Days of New Bee Homeschooler Blog Boot Camp

Day 6: Homeschool Hangouts & Socialization Situations And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today is day 6: Homeschool Socialization of the free 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. Homeschool hangouts socialization situations can be hard to know at first.

Grasping clearer how homeschool groups function will help you to find places for you and your children to socialize and maybe even set up field trips yourself.

Day 6: Homeschool Hangouts & Socialization Situations And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Also, it is important to understand that a lot of homeschooling children are not socially inept and are very well rounded individuals.

I say this because of the many opportunities they have to participate in sports, to geography bees to drama. There is simply no need to isolate yourself.

First though I want to share some common misconceptions about homeschooling field trips that will help you to find a group that is good for you or as I mentioned earlier, create yourself.

Yes, many homeschoolers are empowered to be leaders and achievers and new homeschoolers are no different. However, there are some things you need to know about how the homeschool world is set up.

3 Common Misconceptions About Homeschool Hangouts

  • 1. That there are many active field trip groups. I have a lot of groups in my area, but not all of them actively plan field trips. Every once and a while, a new homeschooler will post a question in my group and ask: “Where are all the field trips?”

Understanding that all parents are busy like you will help you to see that you have joined one huge co-op. Look back at Day 1 Learn The Lingo and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp (& free glossary) to get the meaning of co-op.

This means there is no need to take the wait and see attitude when planning. Many seasoned veterans welcome new and fresh blood that can take some of the burden off of them.

I hope you live in a city where you have an active group that plans field trips regularly. If not and you are part of a local group or forum, can you plan them?

Make field trips happen. When I started to homeschool, I wanted to connect with others and found out that other mothers in my area wanted the same thing. It just took somebody to head it up.

Field Trip opportunities abound.

{Uhmmm that is Mr. Senior 2013 holding the “Chamber Pot” I believe. A VERY valuable history lesson. Tee hee hee }

  • 2. Field trips and activities are right in your backyard. Talking to any seasoned homeschooler, she can tell you about the miles and miles put on her vehicle.

Field trips and opportunities with other like–minded individuals has been worth every effort of driving long distances.

Sometimes we drive up to 2 or more hours one way for my sons to participate in events. We have created lasting memories because I have stayed flexible and planned field trips according to our family’s schedule.

Field Trip for little ones to police station.
  • 3. Field Trips Planned By Local Groups are Balanced. There is nothing harder about running a field trip group than trying to strike a balance of field trips for all ages.

Moms of younger children want more zoo field trips, play dates, and crafts. And moms of older children want more field trips that teens and highschoolers will benefit from.

It is not uncommon for a group to have a committee that heads up field trips for either age but it is more common for a group to lean towards one age range than another. Search and ask questions of groups close to you.

Opportunities for Socialization & Homeschool Hangouts

Each area can focus on different things but if you are willing to work and travel to widen your learning zone, you will find many opportunities.

Ballroom dancing for older students

(Mr. Awesome taking ballroom dance lessons. Long story how hubby convinced them to do it. Once they started, they didn’t want to stop.)

Look at this list of classes and groups I have seen form in different areas that I have lived in.  Some of these classes/groups my family has been part of. We have not been in want of any social activities.

  • Spanish classes
  • drama
  • music
  • spelling bees
  • fencing
  • 4 – H
  • park days
  • book clubs
  • ballroom dance lessons
  • church
  • football
  • choir
  • gymnastics
  • Bible bees
  • swimming competitions
  • science fair
  • co-ops
  • library days
  • art classes
story time at library

(My days at Library Day have been worth EVERY effort to raise life-long readers. Sniff sniff, but I get teary eyed looking back at how quickly it is going by.)

When you start homeschooling, try to remember that thousands upon thousands of other homeschoolers have gone before you to pave the way.

Day 6: Homeschool Hangouts & Socialization Situations And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

There is no need to think that you are alone and have to come up with all ideas for opportunities for enrichment and socialization; you do need to be flexible and may need to go out of your comfort zone so that your children can make life-long friends.

Too, I’m going to switch gears here on you.

Who is Tina Robertson

But before you can appreciate how I can help you here are are a few things about me. Sure, this free new homeschooler boot camp is all about you.

However, you need to know that I’m not new to the homeschool world.

Too, I have 3 homeschooled grads. So I’m well past having my oldest kid being 10 years old.

But the best part is that what I have for you works.

Also, look at a few other things about me.

And I have a detailed self-paced online homeschool Kickstarter course. It is a detailed comprehensive course for first time homeschoolers.

That is enough about me.

This new homeschoolers free boot camp is about you. I’ve not only been helping new homeschoolers in person, but here at my site for years.

Online Forums & Blogs are Life Savers. Because homeschoolers hail from all over the world and even tiny remote places, a lot of us get our encouragement from online group forums and blogs.

Also look for blogs that use a homeschool approach that you are interested in. Even if you are not following that approach right now, you will still get some facts to make a good decision for your family.

I encourage you to not be a field trip follower always, but to make moments happen for your family.

I have had MANY exhausting days as I plan and lead field trips, but I have NEVER regretted planning any of them.

MORE HOMESCHOOL SOCIALIZATION TIPS

Opportunities to expand your friends in the homeschooling community exist abundantly and they are just waiting for you to make them happen.

What you have found so far in your area?

Days 1 – 5 of the 31 Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers

Homeschool Hangouts & Socialization Situations

Day 4: Confronting Relatives & Naysayers and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today is day 4 confronting relatives and naysayers in the free 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. Sometimes when our friend and family confront us about our choice to homeschool it can affect us.

I have never been to a wedding where the minister asks why a couple should not be joined in holy matrimony and somebody speaks ups to object.

Often times I wonder what would happen if somebody did object. What, the couple won’t get married if they are both adults? I think it would make for some great drama.

Then you hardly ever hear the old fashion line speak now or forever hold your peace, but that is just what is needed from relatives when you start to homeschool.

Day 4: Confronting Relatives & Naysayers and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Too, sometimes relatives and family confront us with negative comments because they understand our lifestyle. I always think of it more like them questioning us instead of us confronting relatives and naysayers 

Also, if we focus on the criticism and negative talk it can take us away from what is important at the moment.

For example, my first instance of being criticized for homeschooling happened went I went to the mall one day. I was in line to pay for my items with my children cheerfully in tote.

Confronting Relatives and Naysayers

The lady behind me asked why my oldest was not in school. My reply with such conviction as if the whole world was going to be happy about my choice was “because I homeschool him”.

Her quick witted reply was “like you are doing now”.

Being crushed in spirit, I thought at that moment, if only I had some facts to support my decision to homeschool it would have made a difference.

What I have learned now is that any statistics and homeschooling facts should have been for my own sanity so when statements like that happen it doesn’t pierce my armor of conviction.

Have you taken time to read some studies and grab some facts?

My previous post on Day 3 directed you to the NHERI.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with putting some facts on your phone and keeping them handly to pull out and read

Of course, you would look smokin’ hot smart if you were to whip out your phone and pull up the website.

The truth of it is that there is nothing that really can prepare you for the criticism of family and friends other than to say it will happen.

Teaching in my new homeschooler workshops for ten years, I have to come realize that are two types of new homeschoolers when it comes to family criticism.

New to Homeschooling Where to Start

One group determines this is what is best for their family and is not really affected by family comments and opinions and doesn’t solicit them.

The second group however is more affected and desires family approval or they are at least affected by the comments of others. The second group of moms are tender souls and it is hard for them to just shake off the dust of comments by others.

Preparing for Homeschool Criticism and Comments

How to Prepare for Homeschool Criticism

One. Grab Facts & Statistics Speak Volumes.

Not everybody is moved by your desire to homeschool and are only silenced or at least give pause for thought when you talk about facts and numbers.

Two. Prepare Your Answers in Advance.

It took only one time for me to get caught off guard when asked why I decided to homeschool.

I not only wanted to prepare my mind,  but I wanted to represent other homeschoolers proudly. I had many replies and a few of them were:

  • I homeschool because I want my kids socialized.
  • I homeschool because my son was advanced and I needed to move at a different pace.
  • We homeschool because the public school schedule is not our family schedule.

Three. Google More Reasons to Homeschool and Create Your Own List.

There is no lack of the advantages for homeschooling. I created a list of reasons why I wanted to homeschool and then added more as I schooled longer.

Creating your list now will add conviction to your tone and strengthen your resolve to homeschool.

Four. Just Be Nice.

Understanding that we all have a choice in how we educate our children and many will not agree helps to season your speech.

It is hard to determine at times when to speak and when to keep quiet.  I feel many times that I have to defend homeschooling choices, but I have learned sometimes it is better to say it is not for everybody.

Homeschooling does require self-sacrificing and we live in a world that does not engender that spirit.

I have given up many things to homeschool my sons, but none of them are worth trading for all the precious time and memories we have created so far.

I won’t look back and regret not learning professional photography, but I may have time in the future to learn it.

People are down on what they are not up on. I use this saying many times because everybody has a preconceived idea of what is homeschooling.

Maybe they know somebody that did not take their responsibility serious and didn’t really homeschool her children.

It happens. Appreciating that sometimes people are misinformed helps us to deal with them in kind ways.

I always try to encourage a conversation with naysayers instead of rapid fire come backs. If they are truly interested they will have a conversation with you, but if they only want to criticize then don’t waste your time.

New to Homeschool

Also, look at a few other things about me.

And I have a detailed self-paced online homeschool Kickstarter course. It is a detailed comprehensive course for first time homeschoolers.

Day 4: Confronting Relatives & Naysayers and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Also, prepare your children so they are not pawns by the relatives.

Relatives and other people alike can be very bold thinking they have a right to quiz children about what they are learning. Is it harmful or helpful? You can determine this by weighing in on what their motives are. Would this person be questioning your child if they went to public school?

When relatives speak up to criticize, it can create drama or not.

Negative drama depends on your response, not theirs.

Strengthen your homeschool resolve by preparing now for the fact that not everybody will be delighted about your lifestyle change, but then again you do not need their approval to embark on this exciting and memorable journey.

Day 4: Confronting Relatives & Naysayers and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Other Resources for New Homeschoolers

Have you got any responses ready?

Day 4: Confronting Relatives & Naysayers and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp. Sometimes when our friend and family confront us about our choice to homeschool it can affect us. Also, if we focus on the criticism and negative talk it can take us away from what is important at the moment. Learn how to prepare for homeschool criticism and read the free 31 day bootcamp for new homeschool educators. #newhomeschooler
Day 4. Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace. 31 Days of New Bee Homeschooler Blog Boot Camp

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