Looking back as a homeschooling mom of 31 years, I am feeling kind of introspective, and I pondered just a few things that I would do differently. Nothing huge or depressing to me, but things I can see now that I would change if given the chance again.
It’s easy to look back on our homeschooling years, and think: “I wish I had…..”
But it’s also fun looking back as a homeschooling parent and being able to say “I’m glad I did.….”
1. I would say yes more often.
2. I would smile and laugh more, rather than be so intense.
3. I would try to be less idealistic, and more realistic in my expectations.
4. I would have kept “tucking” my kids in and praying with them at night all the way into and through the teen years.
5. I would work more on training the difficult child, rather than asking a more compliant child to do things to “avoid the hassle” of dealing with the difficult one.
6. I would not compare myself to other homeschooling moms, or moms in general.
7. I would judge my homeschooling success more on how much my children have learned wisdom, rather than on whether they were “caught up” for their age/grade level.
8. I would remember that the time I spend daily teaching, training, and caring for the children, my husband, and our home is more important than anything I didn’t accomplish on my “to-do” list.
1. Homeschool all the kids all the way through grade 12.
2. Spend a lot of time on Scripture memory, and character training with them.
3. Give up a good-paying secular job to stay home and raise my children, and spend every day with them.
4. Correct the children with Scripture when wrong behavior was shown.
5. Seek Godly wisdom and counsel from those who are older and wiser.
The homeschooling days may seem long, but trust me when I tell you that the years go by fast! Make the most of your homeschooling years!
14 Responses
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This is a great list! However, being in my 8th year of homeschool (my children at 13, 11, and 9) I feel like they are so far behind. My oldest is super mechanical and a problem solver, but academically struggles a lot. The middle is super intuitive and thinks rather deeply, but I feel I may have unintentionally held her back when working so much with the oldest. This may be the same with my youngest. I have mostly used the CM method the whole time.
Homeschool moms say to focus on their character. I feel that we have, but I’m hoping not to the detriment of their academic ability.
Wow – 25th year!! Good fo ryou fo rhanging in there. Aren’t you glad that God fills in those gaps – cuz we all miss thing and makes mistakes. It’s great to know that He blesses our obedience more than our feeble efforts!
Being in my 25th year of homeschooling with three still at home…I agree, wholeheartedly, with your observations. I wish I had done more of a Charlotte Mason approach with my older ones in the beginning. I would have chosen to spend more time reading aloud, as well. God is good to fill in the gaps and give us more than we can ask or think, though, just when we move forward in obedience and faith.
Nicole, you are welcome! So glad it was encouraging to you!
So refreshing for me to read this, thank you for your insight.
You’re welcome, Stephanie! So glad it came at a good time for you. Be encouraged, and keep on. You can do it!
This is a wonderful list and exactly what I needed right now. Thank you!
HI Mihaela! So glad you are enjoying the posts. That is great that you’re enjoying your first year of homeschooling your daughter, and I love your desire to be intentional about raising them to love the Lord!
I really enjoyed reading your articles. I am homeschooling for the first time this year my Pre-K daughter and I really enjoyed it so far. But I am greatful for the godly advise. I am trying to be intentional in raising my girls to love the Lord first.
Thanks Beth! So glad you enjoyed the list, and that it gave you some things to strive for. Hope your homeschool year is going well for you. 🙂
I absolutely love this article. That is a great list, and something to strive for! I am a homeschool mom and all my kids are 10 and under. I am trying to be intentional about all aspects of homeschooling and parenting, I want less regrets and more “I’m glad I did” moments. Thanks for sharing ❤️
Jalynn,I’m glad you liked the post. 🙂 I just put together a resource to help parents discipline with Scripture, and it is available on my website as an ebook,or you can buy it as a print copy. It’s titled “Training and Correcting the Heart with Scriptures.” If you go to my home page (www.thecharactercorner.com) about half way down you will see a write-up about it, as well as some of the sample charts. If you have questions, let me know!
Thanks,
Kathie