HOMESCHOOL RESEARCH OVERLOAD!!
I made the exclamation somewhat jokingly, but well... it was also true. I spent a lot of time this morning surfing on line, looking at different resources, blogs, curriculum, etc. My mind is just spinning with options and decisions that need to be made.
I got several very supportive responses, but one friend in particular, Trisha, gave me some well-timed advice. She knows what she's talking about too. She's a homeschool mom of seven children. I have a hard time comprehending how big families like hers manage, because I am sure it is something I could never do. But Trisha? She can do it. She *IS* doing it! I have so much respect for her and her family. Anyway... I asked if I could share her advice and she graciously agreed.
Here's what she wrote:
Breathe.
Several important things to remember:
1. Nothing is the RIGHT solution for everything, but sometimes the RIGHT solution is not the BEST. That's okay. Children need to learn that it doesn't always get handed to them on silver platters. Learning to learn when the information is not easy to ascertain is necessary at some points along the road.
2. Nothing you do will ruin them forever. Children are phenomenally resilient (umm... check out how well they have done up to this point under some of the "academic genius" at work in the public schools).
3. God's grace is sufficient, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Yes, even YOUR weakness. ;) So much of homeschooling is about teaching your children to be real with education, not so much about finding the best curriculum to manage the 3 Rs. They are going to learn for the rest of their lives. They aren't always going to be in primary education. You are teaching them how to learn. What they learn is somewhat secondary for right now.
4. Tutorial education (one-on-one) is absolutely the best model for learning. No one argues that point. That's why schools try and tout their low teacher to student ratios. Regardless of what you choose to teach, what methods, tools, books, or resources your employ your children will gain a far superior grasp of their world through common interaction with you and Steve than ever they could as student #32 in a classroom. It's just facts.
5. You'll do great! You love your children, and are more concerned about their welfare emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally than even the most well-trained teacher. Your decisions for them will not be based on requirements that must take into account unnecessary state and federal mandates on content, methodologies or resources. Because of that you have such an advantage. Don't sweat it. :) It will come.
Someone told me once, "Your worst day as a homeschooling parent is better than the best teacher's very best day." It's SO true. Not only because we as parents are personally vested in our children's education, but that we have the opportunity to give them one-on-one attention that teachers simply cannot. Even if they wanted to, logistically speaking, it's impossible.
ReplyDeleteYou're going to love it, Amy. Curriculum overload is normal, because there are so many great ones out there. Take this first year as your "play year" and see what works for Nick and Emma - and for you. You won't ruin your kids, I PROMISE!!