Time Spent Reflecting
I almost can’t believe it has been two and half years since we started homeschooling! This week I took some time to reflect, along with our kids, on what we’ve loved, loathed, and learned during our homeschool adventure so far.
Let’s begin with what the children had to say. It’s probably useful to know that our children were in pre-school and school for a few years before we took the plunge, so they’ve experienced both worlds.
Question Number 1 – What Have You Loved About Homeschooling?
Eldest Child – Everything! Woohoo.
Youngest Child –
- Going to the playground whenever we want
- Having playdates all the time
- Not having to wait for the teacher to get around to you when you need help with your work.
Question Number 2 – What Have You Disliked About Homeschooling?
Eldest Child – Nothing! On a roll here!
Youngest Child – Having to do the wooooorrrrk! (aka study). Obviously, studying isn’t this one’s favourite pastime, but I have some strategies for getting her motivated to learn. If you have a child that would answer this question the same way, you can read my tips here – https://joyfuljourney123.com/motivating-children-to-do-homeschool-lessons/
Question Number 3 – What Have You Learned During Our Time Homeschooling?
Unsurprisingly for their age, there were no enlightened, abstract answers here. They are proud of their achievements though, so that is great!
Eldest Child – I’ve learned lots more maths.
Youngest Child – I’ve really improved in spelling and reading.
I’m so happy that that our kids love homeschooling, especially seeing as they know they have a choice between school and home. That might be a bit controversial, but I personally don’t want my kids to be the keyboard warriors on a Reddit homeschool thread one day bashing me because homeschooling them ruined their lives forever.
Now, onto my answers.
What Have I loved About Homeschooling?
There are truly so many answers to this first one, so I’ll race through some of them.
- Watching the children flourish academically and socially has been a massive highlight.
- I’ve so enjoyed learning alongside the children in fun unit studies we have done.
- The precious friendships we’ve made.
- The time we get to spend as a family is, I’m sure, time we’ll always consider well spent.
- Not having to stress about whose annual leave is going to be used when the kids fall ill on a weekday (again).
- No running and shouting like mad things trying to get everybody out of the door at 8am. Morning devotions rather than morning chaos anybody? Yes please!
- How good is being able to enjoy playgrounds and tourist sites without the crowds during weekdays!
This list could honestly go on and on and on. Homeschooling is the best IMHO.
What Have I Loathed About Homeschooling?
- Oh my. The driving! I always find myself exhausted from driving here, there and everywhere by the end of term. Sports, music lessons, co-ops, youth group … I’m so thankful to have a break from the car during holiday times.
- As I shared in another post, building community was a mammoth effort that I thoroughly disliked in the early days. It has paid off now though, so I’m glad we hung in there! – https://joyfuljourney123.com/homeschool-community-success/
- I can’t lie. Trying to keep on top of the house work while balancing all of the extra-curricular activities and structured education time! Not fun some days. But, in saying that, I know it can be much more exhausting working a 9-5.
That would mean coming home at night to any housework missed the night before, cooking dinner while trying to do homework with exhausted children, and chiseling out time to sustain a meaningful relationship with my husband. Phew. Hats off to those ladies, but so glad it’s not me! In saying that, a big shout out to my husband for working hard so we can live this life. It means so much.
What Have I Learned While Homeschooling?
- To trust God as the Australian economy spirals out of control while we’re on a single income. Some of you know exactly what I’m talking about, right? Yikes! I have to be real, sometimes it’s scary. I can only testify that God never fails to provide, and that in every tricky situation since I’ve walked with him, that has always been the case. I’ve learned that I can rest in him as I seek to do his will. I believe he is well pleased with my efforts to train up our children in the way they should go, and that he highly regards my work in the home, even when society increasingly devalues it.
- I’ve learned that with God’s help, you can recover from a really disastrous start to an adventure and watch it become something beautiful. Oh boy, that first year. What a rollercoaster.
- Kids can and do flourish in their own time when all of the stress from the age-based state standards are lifted off. Kids need to be encouraged they can do it while they are patiently and lovingly taught by people with their best interests at heart. This lesson could be a whole blog post on its own!
- To be content at home. Before homeschooling, I would have called myself a restless person. Always wanting to be out and about somewhere, doing, doing, doing. Especially doing anything that didn’t involve dusting or mopping the floor. Yuck! But a strange shift has occurred very recently. A shift I have appreciated. I find myself enjoying the steady rhythm of home life. I even find myself getting satisfaction from trying to make our home a more tidy, peaceful and pretty place to be.
And that’s a wrap.
So far, through the highs and lows, this homeschool journey has been very precious to all of us. We’re looking forward to many more joyful years to come! We’d also love to hear how your family would answer these questions. What has your family loved, loathed and learned during your homeschooling adventure?
God bless!
