A mom of 4 weighs in on the benefits of homeschooling.
Our family is new to the homeschooling scene. Our oldest child is only 7, so I don’t claim to have this whole education thing all figured out. Also, I know there is more than one way to accomplish the same end all parents seek, a successful, happy, productive member of society.
Homeschooling is natural
We are currently in our second year of “officially” homeschooling. But, interestingly, not a whole lot has changed since our oldest child reached school age. That is because, to me, education is a natural process that happens with kids both through formal learning and also play.
Although we do some formal learning, like reading through some books on the Ambleside Online year 2 reading list and studying basic Latin words with Song School Latin, that is not where my main focus lies. Honestly, that is probably the least important thing I do to help my kids learn and grow.
My main objective is to create a home where education happens with little or no effort on my part.
I want ours to be a home where good books are accessible, the sewing machine and craft supplies are not off limits, and messes are permissible.
Left to their own devices, kids will learn. Education will happen. It is as natural as eating and breathing.
Homeschooling is unconventional
One of the most amazing things I have noticed since we started homeschooling is how many topics come up without me even prompting. In the last week, I have taught my kids about investments, blood transfusions and taxes. Those weren’t on the agenda, but my little students were interested and I rolled with it.
I didn’t need any fancy curriculum to teach my kids these topics. If I don’t know something, I Google it.
Although I am sure I will have to buy some textbooks when I have teenagers and calculus, I am completely happy with the organic way that learning happens right now.
Homeschooling is not like normal school and it was never supposed to be. It is not a sit at a desk all day and recite the Pledge of Allegiance kind of operation.
Homeschool is baking experiments and balloon animals.
It is sewing projects and playdough.
Homeschool is hearing your children up late in their room reading Charlotte’s Web.
It is forts with bricks and scrap wood.
It is questions asked and learning to find the answers.
Homeschool is messes, mistakes, experiments and play. It is doing dishes, rocking babies, folding laundry and playing in the mud. It is encouraging a love of learning and creativity. It is reading good books, listening to good music and reading God’s Word.
What I like best about homeschooling is it is real life!
Homeschooling is doable
I have heard a lot of moms, who want to educate their own children, doubt their ability to do it. My encouragement is if you can read and do basic math, you most certainly can. In the right environment your kids will do most of the work anyway!
Melissa Woods says
I stay home with my children (the oldest being 4) and have often contemplated homeschooling. This article is inspiring to me, it makes me feel like if my child and I both want to, we could do it!
Ashley Klebe says
Miss you Lisa! Love homeschooling the munchkins. Makes my mommy heart happy! Loving your blog! Glad I finally got to subscribe! – Ashley Klebe
Lisa Bass says
Aww miss you too Ashley!
Stacy Greene says
I’ve been wondering if you homeschooled! Glad I saw this. I have a son who will turn 3 in May and just received our preschool homeschool curriculum. I want to see if I can teach and how he responds. Do you have a video about homeschooling? I’m loving your YouTube channel!
Thanks,
Stacy
Mom of Eight says
This is so true! My kids will remind me throughout the day, “I still need to do my math and my piano, mom.” To them, homeschool work is just part of their daily routine. I like to be involved by introducing lessons and reading books aloud and so on, but once they can read and do basic math they do so much on their own too. Our 10, 9 and 7 year old recently put on a play for us based on A Midsummer’s Night Dream. Homeschooling can be amazing!
Lisa says
Agreed!
Bethany says
Hi Lisa, thanks for all the great info! My oldest just turned 5 and I LOVE the idea of homeschooling my kids. I am just a little worried about feeling very overwhelmed having them home all the time. My oldest is very busy and I just want to do what is best for all of us. Do you ever feel overwhelmed with all of them at home?
HEATHER says
Hi Lisa!
I’ve been following you for a while and love your blog and adorable family. I am a mom of 6 under 10 and homeschool but I just feel overwhelmed trying to do it all. I too love to ferment, cook healthy food, sew, farm, decorate, etc but need to know how to intertwine the schooling and real life. This homeschooling post is exactly how I feel about it and want to homeschool this way but fall into the pressure of needing to “do more” and to make sure it looks like “school”. Can you please point me in the direction of a good homeschool book, blog, mentor etc. Seems like you’ve got it all figured out and I’d love to get there because I truly don’t want to throw in the towel. Oh and also more posts about Homeschooling too. Thanks in advance!!
Shari Green says
I’am a new homehooling mom for the 2nd timere trying it out and got absolutley with no help with the school district my 14 year old daughter is on the autistic side with an Iep and live in Dover NH any suggestions on curriculm and religion is ok anything will help
Mandi Moreau says
Hi! I am part of a dynamic amazing homeschool community in NY. We hike weekly, play constantly and learn through our cooperative!! We actually have all been tuned into you through our new found hobby, sour dough. You have been an inspiration in many ways and I was so very happy to see that you also homeschool! Natural Living and homesteading is a process we collectively have been working our way into. Thanks for all your insight! We have a writer in our group who is inspired to write about our path. Many blessings.
Lisa says
thank you for the kind words!
Christina says
Mli have four kids 🍀but one is having issue with Reading she is nine yearsold my husband will say she needs to sit at the table for hours to learn I’m also a stay at home homeschool MAMA please if you have something that will help that would be awesome send me a email Bec I WILL be teaching my younger SON how to read in a few more years he is only one know how to count to ten and know colors abc
Lisa says
I have had many great guests on my podcast Simple Farmhouse Life that have chatted about homeschooling. Those may help! You can view them all here: https://simplefarmhouselifepodcast.com/
Beth Cann says
Do you have to give the kids state testing at any point or assessments to show that they’ve accomplished a certain level of learning?
Lisa says
No, I constantly formally and informally assessing my kids to make sure they’re right where they need to be educationally!