Thank you for posting this! I have been homeschooling my kids for 3 years now, and each year, especially around this time of the year, I struggle with doubts of whether I'm doing 'good' enough, if my kids are falling behind, and it feels like a battle to get through all of our work. But I have to do exactly what you said, stop and remind myself of my WHY. I do not want my kids subjected to public schools and everything that goes with it, I want to take these valuable years with my kids and POUR into them as much as I can! We've had some AMAZING conversations in our Bible time, and it shocks me sometimes what my 8 year old will say. He has gained so much discernment and maturity from our time together. And most of all, I need to remember that there is nothing the enemy would like more than for me to give up, throw in the towel, and send them back to the wolves for someone else to 'educate'. God will give us what we need, guide us everyday, and we need to constantly be in communication with Him about it and trust Him that it is enough. Thank you!
Yep!! Those spiritual conversations are worth 10 times the weight of an entire month of learning anything. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and HE WILL ADD all the other things!” ❤️
I’m in my 11th year homeschooling and I started off rigorous and now I fall under the umbrella of unschooling and we are SO much better! My one child thrives on checklists and curriculum so she is more structured. Our home is more peaceful and runs more smoothly. I love your truth and total realness in your homeschool!
"Loosely" holding a plan, being able to adapt and keep core priorities in mind--that's what works. "What do children actually need" definitely needs to be the focus. Good thoughts!
Thank you!!! 😊 I was thinking about this yesterday bc I was talking to my high schooler about history next year and thinking that maybe I should get him a government/civics course so he understands our government before he becomes a voter. And then I stopped and thought…..OR….can civics just be a conversation with him? Because really, he watched the news with us and hears me and my husband listen to political podcasts and news anyway. So I quizzed him on basics of government in 20 minutes and felt like he already knew more than most voters!!!! 😂 today I explained the electoral college and what it’s purpose is and why some want to do away with it. I think our civics course is complete and I took about - half hour of discussion and a childhood of random conversations we’d already had around every single election cycle (or any major political event that’s in the news….we’re a pretty well-informed family. 😉) THAT’s what our children need! Lifelong educating from their parents (and/or mentors) at any time, not just during school hours only from a curriculum.
@@OurHOMEschoolPlan I use ACE homeschooling. When I have a hectic day.. I just look ahead and try to balance things out. We are in a very important part of Social Studies. It's about Government! My son is "typically" around 6th grade (pulled him out 3/22) He is only at 6th grade level in Math and Science. I am VERY thankful for this because Social Studies is 5th grade in ACE about Government! I am reading it ALL with him so he understands the importance of it. I am keeping these books and reviewing it ALL in years ahead! ACE has taught him cursive. I had a GYN appointment today. My husband stayed home so I could go. I gave my son an "easier" day today. We plan to go on a trip out West soon. Just not this year with my son because he's SO ADHD! He is focused on computers! He's in Code Ninja. I figure.. ok.. I'll have him geared in STRONG on Math. STRONG on morals. We do things ever other day on the "weak" subjects. Take a break and bend and tweak where needed. I've learned SO MUCH over a short period of time! We do SO MUCH that is "one on one". Well, he is an only child. We FOR SURE sit down and read the Bible Reading together. I never read or finished ONE BOOK in school either! My husband and my son are the same! I actually plan to have my son do an "old school assignment" based on that trip out West! All cursive, pictures printed out. What is important to us might not be important to him.. obviously! I'm excited about this! I plan to take it slow.. we pull back and do a bit in the summer.. but not much. When it "goes off the rails".. I just say "no Roblox all day 24 hours". We "read aloud" every other day. I have him draw a picture of the chapter and cursive write two or three sentences. I don't expect too too much. I see him as a bit more immature than others.. but not all. Christ is with us!
This is good. We have such a laid back homeschool that when I think of starting highschool I'm overwhelmed because that's a big curriculum load jump. We can still be laid back and introduce all subjects. Freedom is why we homeschool
Yes!! It is a jump. However, I’m learning you can still be “free” in high school! We will still be leaps and bounds ahead of most public school educated children. The test scores prove it. I just listened to a read aloud revival podcast where Andrew Pudewa and Sarah Mackenzie (who have both graduated homeschoolers). What they were saying about high school was eye opening. Honestly…colleges don’t care much about GPA bc so many kids just get passed or grading is based on things other than facts. So the test scores is what matters. And according to the person I know who leads ACT/SAT prep classes, the baseline for average test scores continues to lower. He had his own homeschooled son take the ACT in 7th grade, just so he could get an idea of where he was at (compared to all the high schoolers in his prep classes). His own son got a 24!!!!! That’s shocking. And that tells you the state of the public education. He told me they adjust the tests every year. I should confirm that with him and make a video sometime about it. Or have him in a video with me! 😉
I just stumbled upon this video... i've never seen your channel before. But it's so good! This is also my 8th year of homeschooling, and there have been times I felt like a complete failure- but the last couple years, my focus has been mostly on the spiritual side. If we get nothing else accomplished, my kids are learning scripture and how to be decent human beings- and learning their purpose- to glorify God with their lives! Even if everyone else thinks i'm crazy, I KNOW that is enough 💛 Not that we neglect other learning opportunities, but our priorities aren't what the public education systems say they should be.
Oh my gosh! You have spoken my heart! This is our 3rd year homeschooling and it has been definitely NOT going according to plan either. You are so correct when you say to "have a plan and hold it loosely," and I've started to notice a shift in my mindset since before Christmas. Yes, I too, bought curriculum with good intentions but some of it just wasn't working for my kiddos, so we ditched it! We have embraced so much more of the important things (in my own opinion). Love, love, love this video!
Oh I’m so glad!!! ❤️❤️❤️ Reality has a way of adjusting our expectations. It’s better to let things go and enjoy your time together, than taint the school day with stress from feeling behind. When you look back at what you WERE able to accomplish, you’ll be amazed. It’s still a lot!! And what’s more, the memories will be sweeter too!
I sure do love your real mama talks! Thank you so much for these.❤️ You shared a lot of valuable wisdom that felt like it came straight from the Holy Spirit. I have this quote written in my Bible because I seem to always need to be reminded of this when my anxiety takes me off my God given purpose: “The goal of homeschooling is not a rigorous education so they can pursue an illustrious career. The goal is strong character, wisdom and discernment to pursue the life God has called to live.” -Jeannie Fulbright
That is a lovely quote and a perfect reminder for the anxious mom!! ❤️❤️❤️ Thank you! I’m so thankful for the positive response I’ve gotten because I also love sharing these thoughts. I know if this is something on my mind, it’s probably on others minds as well! I’m so thankful it was a blessing to you!
That’s what I always say when someone asked how they’ll learn it all…I ask well how much do you actually remember from high school? That’s usually when the convo stops 😊
I soooo needed this right now. Literally. I feel like it so much to do in such a short time. Biology schedule according the book is so fast I think it’s too much for one year. Some chapters are so much longer than others and you’re supposed to do it in this short time. It’s hard material to rush through.
I agree!!! There are many curriculums out there that I think jam SO much into a year. Unless your child is seriously interested, it could squash their enjoyment to just learn. In school, they’d say, “well sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to.” That’s true. However, some subjects are not ESSENTIAL unless your career is headed that way or unless is basic (like reading, writing, and arithmetic!). Start cutting if you have to. It will be ok. 😉
Fortunately, we're a military family so I was already familiar with life derailing plans long before we started homeschooling. I love your advice. Mine is to have a solid plan, but be prepared to scrap everything, pick your priorities, and set the tone for your family environment until the crisis is over.
Thanks for your raw authentic transparency 😅 I’m only 3rd year post public school and only complete Bible LA plus Math. anything else gets sprinkled in 😇 when we get slowed we just catch up or call it and drop it, subjects will always spiral around life lessons always repeat skills are priceless 😊
"God knows how to fill in the gaps.." YES!! Thank you a million times for these videos! Again, this one and the timing is spot on! What an amazing God we serve and how gracious is He!! Thanks Rachel for sharing your heart to bless others. 💗
“Have you committed you day to the Lord?” Perfection! I agree - our main duty is to disciple our children in the Lord. Teach them to love the Lord and live for the Lord, teach them how to communicate and how to develop healthy relationships. Teach them how to manage their homes and live lovingly with their future families and friends. I have my BA, my BSN, my RN, and my MA and I have learned so much homeschooling. I learn so much from all of the books we read - even from picture books!! I did so well in school that I graduated early with excellent grades, but I knew how to play the public school game. Memorize and regurgitate - it’s the only way to score high on such an accelerated schedule. I’d rather my children go deeper, learn to think and to discuss and forget about the grades as much as possible. I heard a great quote from Andrew Pudewa. “Do what you want and call it what you must.” That is one of my mottos for homeschooling now. Even with my 11th grade son.
That’s awesome!!!! I head him say something similar in regards to transcripts. Is that what you’re referring to? When I heard him say that, I felt another “chain” of “school expectations “ fall off. But the reality is, schools are LOWERING the bar so their standards will be met. So kids are graduating, having met the standard, and are completely uneducated. So what does THEIR transcript even mean anyway? Anyway-thank you!!! 💕
@@OurHOMEschoolPlan yes!! The transcript comment. It has reallllly helped me to enjoy our high school years more. I want these years to be full of beauty and wonder too. Our high schoolers work so hard!! I want joy to be there as well. ♥️
The week of Christmas 2021 we had a housefire. After a horrible year we were able to get into our home a day before the anniversary of the fire. We still have no furniture as we are still hashing out funds with our insurance company. All the homeschool materials that survived are packed away in a POD under alot of snow. Life happens indeed! Lots of Grace, and trusting it will all work out.
I’m so sorry!! But yes!! These are circumstances you have no control of. But…learning can still happen! Even without actual curriculum! And you’re children will know things that no other children may ever know! God is in control and we can trust him for everything, ever circumstance, every homeschool year, and every day! 😉
Hi Rachel, you are on a roll! Thank you! I just watched your planning series and planned my academic year using your video steps - we have momma and student binders, ready for starting in my country! The plans and spreadsheets in my binder are amazing and are already proving their value in comfort and clarity of my thoughts - but then... reality. We've never had a year go as planned and this year will be no different. Thanks for the reminder, it's so easy to think it's a failure if we end up working on relationships and life skills instead of the academics. Love your videos, increbily helpful.
Oh thank you so much for this sweet comment!!!! I’m so glad the planning videos were helpful! I felt a conundrum admitting that even with my phenomenal plan, it doesn’t always happen that way! 😂 glad you can relate!! BUT… The awesome thing about the way we planned this year is even if you don’t get to it all, you can just roll it over to next year if you want, right? And just add in what you DO complete! That’s what I’m anxious to see. Next year should be even easier to plan!!!
I just wanna say this video and your most current one have just reaffirmed everything I do. The last 2 years I've been caring for my mother whos health is failing and multiple hospital visits and stays. We "lost" almost a full year so feeling like I'm in survival mode and how are we gonna "catch up" and I had to stop and rind myself my homeschool is not any one else's and they don't live my life. And yes- 🙋🏽♀️ wanna do all the things lol I love to learn
This is just what I needed for conformation that I’m doing the right thing by stripping my homeschool down to just the “3R’s”. I was trying to be in control and have these plans and moving faster than my child and it all blew up in my face! Now we are slowing down getting back to basics and moving at the student’s pace, not the teacher. Thank you for sharing.
Oh I’m so encouraged by your comment!! Yes! The student’s pace! It’s so hard to push away the whispering “lies” of what you “should” be doing. But there is plenty of time! Relationships over the checklist every time!
We have had a heck of a year. So I just decided we are going minimal. I live in a “red state” high in paper work and requirements. So it’s harder. My kids are younger in elementary school. So our MUST hits everyday are LA, Math, Reading, and life skills. Hitting history and science once or twice a week. (Those will be more prominent once they are in middle/high school)
Oh my goodness….I can’t imagine living in a highly restrictive state. But I know lots of homeschool veterans (the ones who speak at homeschool conferences) who can still fulfill all the requirements while still have a graciously relaxed approach. But I can see why that would feel very challenging!! Your plan looks very similar to mine and I live in IL, where they have virtually no requirements. You’re doing great!!
HSLDA has my state pegged as "low regulation," but it sure doesn't feel like it. Hourly requirements as well as mandated subjects. The thing that irks me the most is the hours required. I'm thankful it's not worse but jeez Louise I can't wait to move!!
There is no behind with homeschool. It is about progressing along at their level and pace for each subject and may be by different speeds for different subjects
Thank you for doing this video. I definitely needed it. It seemed like we got behind in December. With the usual huge Christmas to do list, trips, and some unexpected serious things arise, we did not give the time for school like I had planned. Although, at the end if it, I think it was for the better. It made us prioritize what is really important in life and got to spend some quiet and fun times with our family.
You’re welcome! Sounds completely normal!! Glad you were able to prioritize the fun. That’s what I also have to keep reminding myself. One day, these kids won’t be home anymore. 😭
My Kids do go to public school, but I have always canned our fresh grown veggies and fruit. So my daughter has learned how to make jelly. And helps in the kitchen alot
This is such an encouragement! You and I are so similar....I was the cliffs notes girl in high school too....but as a mom I've learned to love reading and learning! Thanks for this video! I'm more encouraged about having a daughter entering high school next year....we can do this! ❤
Thank you so much for your words of wisdom! My thoughts on homeschool mirror your message today and I so appreciate hearing it from a veteran home school mama.
Yes.....cooking is essential. My 16 year old son has been taking a cooking class with me this year. He is now cooking meals for us throughout the week with confidence. It's a life skill all kid's need.
Absolutely!!!! If I could cook more things from memory, menu planning would be so much easier and therefore me save more money. Cooking is tied in to finance in my opinion!!
Excellent points! You can still pursue interest-led learning for less exciting subjects, but their spiritual walk, work ethic, time management, executive functioning skills, money management, etc., is crucial for a successful transition to adulthood.
My dear friend shared this video with me. I am so thankful for her and you! I have struggled as its my second year of homeschooling. Yet hearing you and the encouraging words of my friends is like salve to my weary heart. I keep wondering if I am doing enough and so many other lies. Thank you for sharing your journey. God bless you. God is using you to help me and so many others in the midst of raising their children homeschooling especially. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ BTW Sometimes we are out doing other activities together and miss lessons. 😊 do you have videos about missing lessons? 😂
Thank you for sharing this!! I’m so happy to be used to encourage you!! Not finishing lessons?? 😂 well…no video specifically. Except I’ve mentioned many times….the curriculum is a tool. It’s not your master. So if you want to miss lessons….miss lessons!! 😉the world is your curriculum! 😜
Read Animal Farm and 1984. We started 1984…ran out of time. That is something we have to get back to. But my kids read it on their own before we even got to reading it together. Even my eight year old read it. It is an important one to read. As is 1984.
Animal farm is on my list of interests to add for next year. Animal farm also has a movie. I have it and also 1984 but I’ve never read 1984 myself. I hear about it on talk radio all the time. I would argue, though, that while I understand that it’s important to understand what’s going on in the world, especially in the context of history, you can do that without having read these particular books. The Bible teaches us that what’s happening is both wrong, but also prophetic. So I wrestle with putting emphasis on these books verses diving deeper into apologetics and missionary stories. I appreciate all your thoughts. 💕And perhaps some of my comfort level with NOT worrying about some of these things (if that’s what we decide) is that I’m very comfortable, personally, with what I know and what I can teach my kids through conversations we have continually. That’s my style of parenting anyway. Others may need formal curriculum or books to facilitate some discussion. I understand. Every homeschool and family is different. And it is indeed interesting to step back and say, “what do they NEED?” By asking, “what do I personally know? And is THAT enough?” If I felt like there was more I should know to make me a better citizen/adult, I’d learn about it WITH my kids anyway.
I've had our homeschool "plan" put way into perspective this year. I bought the planner you use (thanks for the code, btw!) instead of a cheapo $20 one with the intent of trying to keep life organized this year. I bought a curriculum that was more independent. I'm so glad God led me to get it because he knew I would have minimal time for teaching lessons. About a month after we had our 5th child, our 2yo was diagnosed with cancer. Our world has been turned upside down. I do 0 planning. Our school days, I say, "what subjects should we do today?" And just go from there. The only thing I use the planner for is the calendar for tracking days. We live in one of the most regulated homeschool states. We do enough for their requirements but nor much else. It's been so much better for my kids education anyway. They ASK to do school sometimes. They've picked up books on their own to read when they previously had little interest. They've helped with the baby and each other more. While it's not easy, it's better overall. I would typically consider us behind, but I'm not worrying about it. I'm just doing what I can, and trying to make minimum state requirements.
I’m so sorry about your 2 year old!!! I can’t imagine trying to manage everyday with that added worry and concern. You’re doing great! One day at a time, just do what you can do. Some years are just “doozies.” And I consider those just reminders from God that He is in control and that I should let him be. He knows way better than me, is able to bear burdens that I cannot, and strengthen me n ways that I can’t explain. Praise the Lord.
Well said. All I remember from public high school was personal finance and home ec. I think they did away with home ec since then. Lol. I'm trying to keep it simple. I pray about it alot. Thank you for this.
You’re welcome!! That’s too bad if schools have really done away with home EC. Home manager skills are the thing I wish I would’ve had more of when I became an adult. I knew how to clean (bc my parents always had us doing chores.) but I didn’t really know much about cooking or sewing. Even today…..I have to ask my mom for help sewing BUTTONS on!!! 🙁😳
@@user-bn7dg2km2d that is sad. It’s like how they push a college education these days as THE option and meanwhile the trades seem to be where there is money to be made bc they have a shortage. There was a time where a college education held more value. But I’m not so sure anymore (unless of course you’re going to be a doctor or something very specific like that.) now, college seems to be turning into a worse institution than the public schools. My, how times have changed!
This is my second year of homeschooling. I have a 4th grader and a 2nd grader. And an 8 month old. The year I decided to homeschool was the time that I discovered that I was pregnant with him. I started the year with gusto, but then I started getting "morning" sickness and then gestational diabetes. A very difficult pregnancy physically. So I lapsed in the school work. We finished the year, but not until September going into the next year. During that time, we moved and I had the baby. So my priorities were taking care of him and my homeschooling work was put on the back burner. Now, in March, we are so far behind again. The baby has been sleeping through the night, so I can't use that excuse for not getting things done. I have been watching a few of these videos to help motivate me.
You sound similar to my 1st year homeschooling so let me encourage you. You’re doing enough!!!! “HOME” is more important than the “SCHOOL.” Do what you can. Maybe just do read alouds and math. Trust me, that would be just fine! Then enjoy some educational movies or documentaries with your kiddos. And when it’s warm, get outside when you can. You are doing great and your kids will not be behind!!! I promise!
@@OurHOMEschoolPlan thank you for the kind words of encouragement. One thing that I always have them do is get outside and play every day for PE. (Weather permitting, we are in Michigan) Also they are learning how to care for Baby by helping me with feeding and baths. My daughter even wrote her paragraph on helping with Baby. I really liked the message about God having His own plans. I fully believe that He intended for me to teach my children this way and to bring up my new child in the same way too. I have just been struggling with it, and my husband told me that I am not showing Joy with homeschooling. I took offense to this, but I think that God sent me to seek out advice about it. So thank you for responding to me. I have a few things in mind for teaching my kids that don't necessarily follow with the textbooks. I am definitely interested in teaching some basic cooking skills, and being more focused on what works individually for each of my kids.
@@micheleslepski285 yes! Just enjoy learning about life! Life skills is so essential and often neglected!! Helping with baby is a wonderful learning opportunity. You’re teaching them responsibility and also compassion for others, being a helper!! Not every day is joyful. But your husband has the right idea. Homeschooling is as much for US as it is for the kids. Day by day…..do what you can do and enjoy your kids. Time will come soon enough when your hands won’t be as full, and you can focus more on academics. But don’t feel guilty for what you are unable to get to. You have so many years to “catch up.” I love that your daughter wrote about helping with baby. That reminds me of journal topics! That’s an easy daily writing activity!! Let them write anything about what they want or give them a topic. You could also practice with oral story telling. That’s something you could do with your hands full. 💕 Anyway….I’m smiling bc I understand your overwhelm. I just want to give you a hug and remind you it’s ok. (Our first year homeschool, we probably did a half year of actual curriculum….I felt so guilty. But looking back….it was fine! It was enough. Honestly….you could probably teach your kids barely anything until they are 14 and then teach them everything and they’d still be fine! 😉 at these ages, you’re really just sparking curiosity and helping them to enjoy the process of learning. So you can explore their interests. Teach them to read and hand write. Learn some basic math and I promise they will take off on their own. But if you feel like you’re not doing enough, it will show, and it will make learning feel like a chore (and this is when the lack of joy comes in.) and I get it bc I wrestle with it myself. So I’m preaching to the choir!!! But just remember at their ages, it’s more about feeding curiosity and teaching them to explore it with some basic tools. 🙂
@@OurHOMEschoolPlan thank you, I needed to hear this! I know that my husband means well, but does not always come across that way. I am going to implement a free-writing assignment. My daughter loves to write stories and illustrate them. I used to do the same at her age. She loves reading already and when she was in public school she was in a higher reading level than her grade. One thing that she struggled with was penmanship. In the homeschool curriculum is a handwriting course, and she has improved greatly. She is very good with cursive writing, which they apparently stopped teaching in public schools. My son who is in 2nd grade is a little harder to motivate. He is bored easily and doesn't like to do the assignments. He does better with physical activities. We had them enrolled in a ice-skating program, but Baby and the move hampered that. We are going to see about finding a program here possibly in the Fall. He has been doing better with handwriting class since starting this year.
I was like you - public school kid, never home, always doing all the things and could care less about homemaking. I literally thought I wasn't ever going to have kids - LOL! The Lord changed that plan, but I did the same thing!
Love this video! It is so true! Expose them to things, present them with opportunities to learn, but they aren't going to absorb or be interested in all the things. My 9th grader and I just adjusted his apologetics elective credit bc two out of four of the books were ruining it for him. So, we dropped those two books, kept the two he loved and just changed it from 1 credit to 1/2 half. No biggie! This is definitely learned with experience, but 8 years ago, I would have thought we HAD to do all the things!
Yep!!! Our own education is such hinderance to free thinking (which is how it’s designed!! Oh, the irony!). We did a similar thing with my son….adjusting things that were “ruining it” for him. There really is no point if it feels like torture. 😉
Wow I honestly thought I was the only one. I've been thinking maybe I'm not smart enough so how can I continue homeschooling. I guess we learn as we go as well. Thank you so much for this confirmation. Also my daughter is so rebellious, I definitely will take your advice on teaching her the ten commandments.
Kids can learn just by watching you. You get sick they have to do some cooking then. You don’t have to make classes out of it. Let it just happen naturally whatever your naturally is. That’s how it happened for me. My mom never had me taking cooking classes from her and I have done quite well.
I started with a higher dream than what I started with and I was like we will have to get to certain stuff as long as we do the needed stuff and the fun!!! In our homeschool cooking is a skill I want them to do as we try to eat healthier foods and that can mean more cooking!!!
Perfect timing for this video since I just made the PERFECT plan! Even though none of my plans have ever worked, I just know this time will be different! Right? I am pleading with God, time will tell. My oldest 2 are in 4th and 5th (I like to start our year in January and go year round). I’ve had to lean on unschoolish/very relaxed methods for awhile to survive but am wanting to make the most of the next 4 years to really shape their world view before they become more independent in high school. I really like My Fathers World family cycle style of learning but couldn’t get it to work for us. So I created my own family cycle. Target the 5th-8th grade levels in the family cycle, a 4 year plan, and the 1st-4th graders can learn tidbits alongside them, just keep repeating the cycle until each child reaches the 9th grade. I like to be very relaxed with learning plans, since my plans often don’t work the way I intended, so I tried to leave lots of breathing room. First up, as most do, start the morning with family Bible time every morning; then math/typing (4days/week-kids alternate between the 2 so they aren’t all doing math at the same time, gives me more time to help each child I hope, using TT and Typesy because they free up my time as teacher and I can act more as the tutor/supervisor). Next, do a family cycle with history/social studies/geography 3 days/week (cover American history for 1.5 years, world history 1.5 years, cultural geography for 1 year, they can do artwork while I read aloud). Next, alternate the family cycle history time with science 2 days of the week covering Life science for 2 years and Earth science for 2 years, so covering history M, W, Fri., and science T and Th. Next, go from a family subject to individual study: reading/literature/journaling; break for lunch; individual subjects after lunch: spelling/vocab./handwriting/grammar (less emphasis on grammar instruction since they can go in greater depth for a year in high school, also can practice more formal ways of writing in high school). Last but not least, an hour of music, then an hour of physical education/outside time- I really dislike putting these subjects on the back burner because I enjoyed them so much in my public school experience that I put less emphasis on the other subjects hoping to remedy this problem. So that’s my PERFECT plan and I just know that it’s going to work, forgetting all my prior failures. I guess no matter what happens, God is still in control and I will just have to trust Him that his ways are higher than my own. Thank you for being open and reminding us of these important truths. Would love to know other’s perfect plans.
This is my third year homeschooling and I keep getting in my own way. I feel like I keep tripping over my other plans and falling on my face. Getting up and restarting is hard. I'm feeling completely derailed here today. The homeschooling train is so heavy to get back on the tracks. Yes! I need to ask for the Lord's help. And trust Him
Yes….and sometimes it helps to not think about the overall big plan. Just accomplish something today!😉 I’ve always said, homeschool is a sanctifying work for mom too!
Lol. Just got Cliff Notes for Julius Cesar lol. Try reading it without it lol wow. I felt less than smart. Then I tried explaining it to her and said…., okay. When this gets delivered we will read this. Continue your other work then we’ll get to that lol
Oh man! I never understood Shakespeare until we watched the movie!!! Then it all made sense. And so many veteran homeschool moms will also tell you, Shakespeare was meant to be SEEN not READ anyway. So don’t forget the movies!!!! I know there is one for Julius Caesar bc I watched it in high school!!! 😜
I homeschool the Grands and sometimes I question myself as a former public school teacher. I believe in flexibility when things happen. It is like public school not every plan works
HIS plan is always better than ours. ❤ I’ve definitely thought “why do I even make a plan?” But like you said…it’s something to fall back on and it’s responsible to know where you’re headed. This year I set out to do Sonlight C in one year (previously we did it over two years) but then I went and got pregnant again 😂😂 and we’re pulling the brakes again. We’ve done 12 weeks so far, so I’m hoping to get through 18 weeks by the end of the year. Then we’ll finish the other half next year. 👍🏻👍🏻
Congratulations!!! What a blessing!!! I’m actually thinking similarly. I made a great very detailed plan this year and am thinking, maybe I just continue it next year. We may not even get through half of some of the things. Nothing wrong with that. Just do the next thing!!! 😉
I was so organized in homeschooling until one year I (the mom) caught bacterial meningitis and I was laid out. In the hospital for 3 weeks and a very lengthy recovery time. Husband was in the Army and stationed in the Sinai. They had to bring him home on an emergency leave and my sister had to step in and take over the household management. The kids had to step up and start practicing life skills. My daughter had to get an early drivers permit and at age 15 she had to learn to drive our 30 ft. Motorhome. Everything worked out ok and all three of my kids went on to become successful.
Life gives us that dose of reality we need sometimes to remind us what’s important. Oh my goodness! I cant imagine 3 weeks in the hospital. You can learn “science” for your career if you need it if know HOW to learn. But not everybody will need that for their career. But having those life skills to help when your family needs it…..EVERYBODY needs that. And like your said, your kids ended being successful despite that year of “gaps.”
You do what you need to do each day. If they’re sick then you take the day or week or however long off for that. Doctor’s appointment no one is going to concentrate so just take the day off…
I can’t finish watching right now cause my kids are fighting. That, alone, used to be a huge life interruption during school. Thankfully, it is a lot less now. My homeschool interruptions lately are stupid things like I need to go to the dmv or the dentist. We homeschool year round so it is a little easier but I noticed that appointments and what my father-in-law wanted to do on my time during the holidays just threw me off course. I had this plan on looking into my daughter’s option for math since she was struggling. Well I told her no more holidays the week of Christmas and we started a new math program. I had to give myself some grace but also draw the line. I think that we all need to set up wiggle room for flexibility and let go of expectations. I was really feeling it this past December though.
Yes!!! Letting go of expectations is freeing. And maybe this will help….I’m constantly reminding myself that I don’t want my kids to look back on our homeschool with a bad taste in their mouth that Mom was always a drill master. I want them to remember the fun times, the special activities, and I want to inspire them to want to homeschool their own children. There is a balance between the school part and the relationship part. And for us, the relationship and the heart of it all will always trump the checklist. 😉
I have trouble knowing where to focus my kid's education because he has no idea what he wants to do with his life. I guess our focus will be on life skills and introducing him to various subjects.
I’m in a similar boat. My son doesn’t know what he’s interested in (except money! 😉). So he’s interested in learning about money; that could mean finance, entrepreneurship, accounting, economics… Just keep doing your best and exposing him to new things and maybe you’ll see a spark. One other thing I’m doing for next year. 8’ giving my son a list of classes that I think he might be interested in. (All subjects) and then let him look at a the descriptions, etc and see what piques his curiosity. On my list will include some biology courses, history, Logic, economics, and Dave Ramseys entrepreneurship class. (I.e. he gets a say on the classes he’ll do next year.)
@@OurHOMEschoolPlan I'm planning to include those same courses (finance, entrepreneurship, etc.) instead of Algebra II and Trig. I think he will be more likely to use those in the former group. I didn't know Dave Ramsey had an entrepreneurship class. I'd bought Small Business Entrepreneurship from Switched-On Schoolhouse. I just heard that Switched-On Schoolhouse has been discontinued. There are so many choices, it's difficult to decide what to include!
This couldn't have come at a better time for me. I m in our second year and my husband left us without any warning. We are all devastated and have been just doing extra struggles and movies and activities. I m just now getting to re starting today. Been trying to do it simply but I know I m skipping over lots of things.
There are auditory books that might help those who weren’t raised reading since babies. Because really, if you don’t start them off from infancy and read with them and read and read and read then yeah they won’t likely want to read. They don’t have to read what we read. But take them to the library. Check used book stores online or in the real. There are good old and new books that are also literature.
I’ve never made a plan. I am on year 9 (though I started homeschooling at around age -well actually I’ve always been homeschooly But I guess more homeschool type stuff between age three and four so add those year on all my kids), seven, two and K. My only plan is to buy the workbooks and get them done. That’s it. And this thing people have of making a course of SAT and ACT and some other even-screw all that. Who has time for that? Seriously. Those tests are supposed to be to test what they have learned-not study how to pass it. What in the world has happened? Has it always been that way and I never knew it? Probably so I guess. But even so, I don’t want my kids to be primed for the tests. I only want them to pass what they actually really know.
The SAT May test what they known the ACT basically tests math, grammar, and reading comprehension. And yes, there are strategies for taking or else the person I know who teaches them wouldn’t have students jump up 5-10 points. Some of the strategy has to do with test anxiety and pacing yourself or not wasting too much time on 1 question….what to do when they give you 5 minute warning. These scores are what colleges look at more than GPA bc public schools hand out A’s like candy these days.And the test scores are all on a curve. So if the population is dumb, and you get a better grade than average, your score will be higher.
*This* is where we're at and where we've been for the last... well, I can't remember how long. . My last child is in high school but this one thinks they want to go into nursing. So that has had me feeling pressured. But school isn't going well as far as the work getting done. It's just yet again another one of those years we've been having. Life is just happening. They are also unmotivated and seem to have the attitude that if the notion strikes to do school they'll do it. They are perfectly capable of doing school without me needing to be on them about it. They've proved that. But it isn't getting done. I've chosen things she can do independently. Some of which she herself said she wanted to do. So.... I've been doing some thinking. And I've reached the conclusion I need to get her into a more structured system. One that has some accountability. But it's not my preferred method of homeschooling. I feel that it really won't produce a love to learn attitude. I feel that it's just a method that will, hopefully, teach discipline. There's a time to get up. Getting dressed, doing the chores, having devotions, Doing School, going to bed at a decent time. Right now, it's just if it happens it happens attitude. I'm thinking of putting her into a school at home type curriculum. I could also sign up for having the record keeping be done for me. We would send in all tests etc.. But I'm having doubts. And now I've come across this video and it's so much what our life has been for several years. So many that I really can't remember how long. Just major life things kept happening. Now it's more settled down, but it's my own physical issues. Nothing major but just enough to keep things upended. **This was entirely too long. I'm sorry..🙈 This video has me re-thinking all over again. It is so good. I really really need to know what am I supposed to do about our homeschool.**
I completely understand. But have a couple thoughts. 1. Kids do not have be graduated by the time they’re 18. If they don’t get the work done, don’t pass them on. Don’t graduate them. They can’t go to college without an official transcript, and proof of a GED, etc. 😉 they can’t even get some jobs without a transcript. 2. I have similar motivation issues with my middle child (she’s only 13). I’m trying a new system. Rather than grounding her all the time (which is what our life has been and it’s de-motivates her even more when she feels like “she has nothing to live for…” 😉 instead….everything she wants has to be earned. (It’s the same thing, just a little physiological twist of thinking.) so everyday, the board is swiped clean. She has 5 stars. I listed out ways the stars will be removed, 1 by 1…her job is to keep the stars. Stars collected are like money. She can save them to get something she wants. So then if she has a bad day, she just earns less stars but it’s not like EVERY thing is taken away forever. I might do a video on it soon. This is the first week I’m doing it and I have to say, she’s already improving. I just threaten to take away a star and she straightens right up!! 😂 My kids like Video games so I changed it to where they don’t play during the week, they can play on the weekend (beginning Friday night) IF they have enough stars. 😉 they can potentially earn 25 stars for the week. Video games allowed if you have 22. If you earn at least 10, you can choose 1 day for video games but not all 3. And then the stars are in their bank for rewards for later, like a sleepover with a cousin, or a Dairy Queen blizzard or money. (25 stars = $1) Anyway….trying it to motivate and reward the behavior I want to see. 😉 (Also if you lose all your stars for the day, there is a consequence -it’s not just no video games that weekend)
@@OurHOMEschoolPlan I love this idea. I have had similar thoughts but they didn't get far. I didn't know how to implement it. I have a hard time knowing what to do for a reward. Like in this case what you're doing, I'd have a hard time determining how many stars for a certain reward. With all kindness, my husband doesn't have a clue to how to help me either. I'm pretty much on my own with homeschooling. I talk to him about the issues I'm having and he might talk to the child but there's no results and he doesn't follow up. There's no consequences. And if I ask what kind of rewards to give per so many stars for instance, he can't give me anything definite. I would really like to see a video about this if you could do one.
I meant to also say that our first child, a son, didn't graduate until he was 19 almost 20. He wasn't getting his work done either. He was given plenty of pep talks, etc., and told that I couldn't graduate him if he didn't have the work done, so he graduated later with his brother. He actually was going to try to graduate the year before but after thinking about it he realized that was going to make two graduations back to back which would be a bit hard on his Mom for physical reasons so he decided to wait until the next year and graduate with his brother. It actually was very nice that way.
@@crazychicken4063 still playing around with it. But I’m keeping it simple. If they don’t get up on time which means ready for school by 8:30. Lose a star. And lose a star for each additional 15 minutes they’re late for school. So if my 13 year old doesn’t get up til 9:01, she’ll lose 3 stars. They lose for not having daily chores done. 10pm is the deadline. They can’t wait til then to do them bc it’s too stressful for me. So if they aren’t done, the next day gets a star removed and they still have to finish before bed. (This is mostly laundry that never gets put away….it’s an issue in our house bc it’s ALWAYS in our upstairs hallway waiting to be taken to their rooms). General disobedience, talking back, rolling eyes, etc. it’s by my discretion. And I may give warnings. So they may get fair warning that their attitude is getting on my nerves. 😉 Not giving their best effort, screwing around during Bible study….being disruptive during group subjects. Finally-if they make us late to any appointments, including church. Also-if they get on a screen without permission (like stealing my husbands iPhone, etc) I think that’s it for now. Like I said, I just made these rules this week! So we’re testing it. 😉
Private education here and it taught me that my memory is terrible because all that memorization and nothing ever stuck 😂. In all seriousness, I have learned from the past 2 years that homeschool in the second half of the year NEVER goes as planned. Soooo I planned a lighter load to be able to support all the ebbs and flows. For example, next month we are just doing Bible, a book study, and math with all of the extras set aside. Love all your wisdom!!
Wow!!! Your homeschool sounds like there’s lots of room for enjoyment!! I love that! I’m USUALLY more consistent the second semester than I am the first. Lol! (Once we get going anyway). October through December is always a whirlwind of activity for us bc of birthdays, anniversaries and holidays. By January, I’m more like, “ok….time to get serious!” 😜😂😜 at least until April…..then I start getting spring fever! 😂 Per your private education, I bet some of your old memory work stuck! I still remember learning patriotic songs in music class (like “Grand ole flag” and I will never…forget the preamble to the constitution and I didn’t use School House Rock! 😜
@@OurHOMEschoolPlan I’m totally the opposite! The first half of the year is usually hefty and we get a ton done plus we are already on month 7 once February hits. My goal is to go a bit lighter so we have more time to dig and rabbit trail. This will be their first book report and I don’t want them rushing through it- quality over quantity. We hold these truths…that’s about all I remember! Lol
@@GinaRLacy haha…we hold these truths is from the Declaration of Independence. The preamble starts… “We the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect Union….” Now does it ring a bell? I bet if you pulled up school house rocks it would TOTALLY come back to you! 😂
Bible study is once a week. God said to “Remember that Sabbath and keep it holy”. Yes, we are to talk about our beliefs in God from getting up to laying down but that is talking as our day goes making those connections like in Science and creation for instance. But the day to reflect is the Sabbath. Look in your Bible. The study day was Sabbath. Yes there were Torah schools, but not everyone went to those.
Wow. I do not agree at all. (And I’m not even sure what in my video prompted this comment unless you’re saying we shouldn’t be disciplining our children daily.) Too much to say and I have a feeling it won’t even matter to you. Jesus is our Sabboth rest now. Yes, we set aside time for church, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t to “study to show ourselves approved unto God.”
This is me, right now. Its funny to hear outsiders comments: "But how will she learn calculus?" Lolll it's funny! I'm so grateful we homeschool and I do wish we had done so sooner. Basically, everything I learned for my career was in my nursing program - specialized learning according to my interest. My goal is to expose them to all the subjects and topics and let them choose as they are lead by the Lord. In these (last) days, their spiritual health is of the utmost importance! Everything else is second, or third, or fourth... :)
Yep!! That’s funny about Calculus! What do you even need calculus for? Engineering? Maybe Actuary? I’m not even sure what careers needs if. I have a business administration degree with emphasis in technology and I can say even my college degree didn’t do much for me in my career. My in the job training is where I got my knowledge from. The only things in college even that I took with me to my profession was learning how to use the internet (that was still kind of new and booming when I went to college. 😂) and learning how to use the Microsoft Suite of applications (Word, excel, , etc) my degree was all just learning ABOUT….but I didn’t need any of it to actually do my job. I told people I learned more about business from watching Trumps “the Apprentice” than I did from my degree. 🤨
@@OurHOMEschoolPlan Yeah, i try to tell people there are so many resources for home school.. there isn't just one way.. I found this online school called Forest Trail Academy that you can sign up for individual courses - I think I am going to use them for the a computer technology course next year.
So true,our child HATES the classics and with one year left we decided nope,lay it down. This child knows the Bible better than most and loves sharing Gods woed,more important to us than the classics. It’s proven if they need it,their interested they’ll learn it.
I been dealing with health issues since November and I’m so far “behind “ then I thought we’d be. I’m lucky if we can get math and language arts done. Tonight it surprised me that we were able to do art. Bible we’re just all over the place and I hate that because Bible is very important to me. I’m trying to take it day by day.
Tomorrow is a new day!! If you’re having health issues and need assistance, don’t be afraid to turn to something like RU-vid. If you need help with a Bible study or some theological study, Paul Washer has some great content. He has an entire series on Proverbs geared to kids. And he just started something on Timothy. Day by day, yes! Just prioritize and do what you’re able! Seek first the kingdom of God and he’ll add the other things! 😉
I never plan. I have a flow. I have a chronic illness plus hello life, and I've done this for 5 years plus 15 years of public school. I'm in Florida, so we can do whatever we please- Unschool to school at home. We don't test. We don't have an end date or a set grade level or check boxes or can ever say we are ahead or behind. Im not doing traditional highschool classes- intrest led based on my childs abilities. We have a flow and a schedule idea that is very flexible. I do not compare either.... It takes a 4 year curve sometimes to get this. But instead, learn from our mistakes and let it go, relax! BTW I have a masters in Education lol. What a waste. 🤣
You’ve got the laid back homeschool approach down. Some of us are still breaking the chains of our own education off! 😂😂😂 I get more relaxed every year. So would your masters degree “approve” of how you homeschool??? What does a masters teach you?
@OurHOMEschoolPlan I deschooled my masters and all my brainwashing the first 3 to 4 years as I struggled to not do school at home with box curriculums like abeka that torchered us to tears but I felt I had too....until I saw the unschoolers.. While I couldn't go that extreme, I knew they had some great take aways. I knew I didn't have to do this box checking AT ALL. I needed to stop fighting my Holy Spirit and intuition about my own kids! I can mix and match curriculum, change my mind, and learn as we go. Drop all comparison period. What didn't hardly work for the hundreds of kids I taught ( was told to teach) was going to be what I wouldn't do. Exit teacher Enter Mama. My years of teaching set me back. My masters completely disapprove of my system, but it's typical propaganda of pushing the agenda of one size fits all and test, data, test, data. The research based instruction is literally not even basic common sense, and the process of pushing the younger to know more and more was insanity. By 3rd most hated school. I hated what I was being forced to do as a human with compassion and a real understanding of the vast difference of kids' learning abilities (which would never matter).Please read: Teaching at Rest by Sarah Mckenzie and The 4 hour school day and The unhurried homeschooler by Durenda Wilson. Those are game changers. Much love!
@@FLMegan I’ve had similar thoughts as you. Unschooling is intriguing although I don’t think I could go quite that far. But I love the thought. I’ve read Teaching from Rest AND the Unhurried Homeschool. Yes….both are very inspiring! Both of mine are heavily highlighted so I can just them when needed. They definitely help bring the perspective back!
@OurHOMEschoolPlan I think you could really make the difference by continuing to show how something didn't work, what is was, why and how you are moving forward and why you think this may work better. I think moms love to see schedules and plans but need permission to just flow and not check boxes. Maybe suggest those books to your subscribers and your take aways. You have a great platform to free some of the bars that hold many back from the meaning of freedom to homeschool. ❤️
@@FLMegan yep! I’ve mentioned teaching from rest in several videos. And I mentioned the unhurried homeschooler, I think, in the “are you weighed down by curriculum?” Video. 😉
I’m testing out a new “reward” system that this would work with. But I always point out eh disrespect. Remind them that Bible says to honor their parents. And there is some sort of consequence. What makes them tick? That’s their “currency”. The consequences usually have to do with that. For my kids, time with friends, tV, and/or video game play. I’ll tell you the reward system soon. It seems to be working for us!! 3 weeks in!! 😃
I have a feeling most homeschoolers are having the, “Well there went my plans,” feeling right now. 😂 This was timely. Thankfully, I like God’s plans better than my own. We currently use TGTB for our 3 Rs plus science, but we’ve had to switch to Easy Peasy for spelling because TGTB approach wasn’t working for us. Thinking about switching to Easy Peasy for most of our subjects next year, do you have any experience with EP? Or insights?
I think you’re right!! I know “there goes my plans” was definitely my sentiment in December!!!! 😜 I don’t have any personal experience with easy peasy. Is that the free curriculum? I think one of my girl friends may have used it at some point but I don’t think I’ve heard any review of it.
@@OurHOMEschoolPlan It is the free curriculum. So far it has been great for spelling and for reading. Just wanted to get your insights if you had experience. Your recommendations tend to work for my kiddos 🤗
History isn’t repeating itself as far as what the books teach. Biblical and Roman and Greek history is repeating. Well, that and communism I suppose-but it’s different.
I disagree with you on the not needing science. We all need Biology. We all need a good understanding of the human body as well as other animals and their bodies. It helps to make connections to how our own bodies work as well as understanding how God created or at least what He created and to see the similarities in us and other animals. We need to understand weather and plants and weathering. It is indeed very important. The more you learn the more you understand this. I only wish I had understood as well as I do now. Thank God for homeschool.
Yes I agree. But do you need a formal curriculum to teach you this? How much in depth do you need to know? And how important is it that you understand 90% of the 180 in-depth lessons of that curriculum. That’s all I’m saying. I love biology, myself. And we’ve learned a lot about animals in elementary books. It’s not like we’re neglecting the exposure to these things. I love watching animal documentaries. You can learn a lot from exploration of a topic. My kids ask human biology questions all the time and we talk about them. I have books. Is my level of understanding as an adult good enough for them to know if they aren’t interested in medical? It’s interesting to ponder.
@@OurHOMEschoolPlan ok so this just came I to my head so maybe it’s not from me. It just isn’t my thinking exactly…this hit my head just now…. Lean not on your own understanding. So I guess that means learn with them or don’t rely on what you know. I use Ace Paces and Big Fat Notebook as well as RU-vid and The Great Lectures. Also, I have had my kids in books since they were in my belly. My son enjoys science and has read quite a bit on his own and even caught an error in Big Fat Notebook Biology of which I then took pictures and sent to them tonight (I’ve done that with Spectrum and Kumon too). So library books. We had a book here my son ran to get from his Elementary years and he went to grab his Ace Paces he already finished (a workbook that had the starfish) and we went to watch that dissection for a second time to make sure what we were thinking was right. Anyway. So That’s all I have for you on that.
@@reflectionsinthebible3579 lean not on your own understanding is speaking of spiritual things, and is speaking of confirming our thoughts with the truth of scripture verses our own feelings since the heart is desperately wicked. It’s not speaking of biology. Once you learn something, you can absolutely lean on your own understanding of that subject. Doctors do it. Business professionals do it. Chefs do it. How do you think the early Americans homeschooled their children? There was no curriculum. If I’m not qualified to teach my own children, based on my own knowledge or by learning with them by whatever way I decide - even if it’s not a curriculum- then I might as well send them away to “the experts”.
No. If we aren’t willing to accept the truth then ofcourse we will not grow spiritually. You seem like one who was popular with other kids and teachers and learned to pass…you knew how to play the game but you didn’t really do the work those of us who were trying our best we’re doing. I don’t think you should be saying some of the things you are.
I don’t know how to respond to this. I was a good student. I did the work to get the A. But I’m also naturally “smart”. School was never difficult for me. Talent vs hard work do not always create equal results. That’s life.
