You start off with grand plans and high expectations, but before too long, even the most dedicated homeschooler is thinking, "What have I done?" This all too common feeling usually comes from falling into one of the hidden traps that many homeschoolers succumb to.
Don't let your homeschool program get bogged down, and make sure you avoid some of the more common homeschooling traps.
First, many homeschoolers fail to plan for their year.
They don't take into account holidays, time for doctor's appointments, how many lessons they'll want to accomplish, review time for content mastery, and on and on.
The trap is thinking that because you homeschool, you can figure it out as you go along.
The solution is in having a master calendar, a set of definable goals, both academic and personal for you and your students, and making sure that you review your master plan regularly.
Know what your homeschooling goals and values are, and make sure that you are on track.
The unexpected isn't as much of a problem when you remember you can adjust your school hours or days to catch up.
But, if you don't know what the school timelines are for your students' learning, then you won't know how to adjust for the unexpected when it happens.
Another trap that catches many homeschoolers is spending too much time on "fun stuff.
" Homeschooling affords the family many ways in which to be flexible and pursue interests and passions, many of which are excellent things to learn about or do, but if the students aren't staying focused on reading, writing, math, science, and core learning skills, then the students aren't really home-schooling.
Keep track of academic benchmarks, grade by grade, and make sure that these are the primary focus of each day, with the "fun" things added in after basic schoolwork is done.
Another trap for homeschoolers is to omit the "accountability" factor.
Whether it's standardized tests to monitor academic growth or a peer group of other homeschoolers to share ideas and solutions, being accountable to others is an important part of homeschooling that many leave out.
No one has to take over your homeschool program, and you don't have to give up control of how you school, what your core values are, and how you raise your children, but find an accountability partner and take opportunities to utilize standardized tests as ways to stay in touch with how you and your children are doing as you homeschool.
Accountability is a vital component of a healthy homeschool program.
Finally, a common trap that wears down almost all homeschool parents at one time or another is to think that everything, every day, all day long must revolve around the school or your children.
Remember that as an adult, you will need to have some adult interaction to feed your spirit and restore your energies.
Be intentional about maintaining friendships, and stay involved with those hobbies and activities that nourish you, too.
Homeschooling is an admirable calling with many, many rewards, but you need to have other interests as well or you will find yourself falling victim to the trap of isolation.
Don't let your homeschool program get bogged down, and make sure you avoid some of the more common homeschooling traps.
First, many homeschoolers fail to plan for their year.
They don't take into account holidays, time for doctor's appointments, how many lessons they'll want to accomplish, review time for content mastery, and on and on.
The trap is thinking that because you homeschool, you can figure it out as you go along.
The solution is in having a master calendar, a set of definable goals, both academic and personal for you and your students, and making sure that you review your master plan regularly.
Know what your homeschooling goals and values are, and make sure that you are on track.
The unexpected isn't as much of a problem when you remember you can adjust your school hours or days to catch up.
But, if you don't know what the school timelines are for your students' learning, then you won't know how to adjust for the unexpected when it happens.
Another trap that catches many homeschoolers is spending too much time on "fun stuff.
" Homeschooling affords the family many ways in which to be flexible and pursue interests and passions, many of which are excellent things to learn about or do, but if the students aren't staying focused on reading, writing, math, science, and core learning skills, then the students aren't really home-schooling.
Keep track of academic benchmarks, grade by grade, and make sure that these are the primary focus of each day, with the "fun" things added in after basic schoolwork is done.
Another trap for homeschoolers is to omit the "accountability" factor.
Whether it's standardized tests to monitor academic growth or a peer group of other homeschoolers to share ideas and solutions, being accountable to others is an important part of homeschooling that many leave out.
No one has to take over your homeschool program, and you don't have to give up control of how you school, what your core values are, and how you raise your children, but find an accountability partner and take opportunities to utilize standardized tests as ways to stay in touch with how you and your children are doing as you homeschool.
Accountability is a vital component of a healthy homeschool program.
Finally, a common trap that wears down almost all homeschool parents at one time or another is to think that everything, every day, all day long must revolve around the school or your children.
Remember that as an adult, you will need to have some adult interaction to feed your spirit and restore your energies.
Be intentional about maintaining friendships, and stay involved with those hobbies and activities that nourish you, too.
Homeschooling is an admirable calling with many, many rewards, but you need to have other interests as well or you will find yourself falling victim to the trap of isolation.
Source...