THE PROBLEM WITH HOMESCHOOL MOM VLOGGERS 

I love watching homeschool moms as well. My least favorite channels are ones where they haven’t even used the curriculum but are giving a review because they have an affiliate link. I do not share anything that we haven’t used in our home.

I take most videos with a grain of salt BUT the ones that work my nerves are those that just started homeschooling, have 0 experience and yet are giving advice. I understand some just document their journeys but Im speaking of the ones who are doing hauls of a million diff curriculum, books etc, giving recs on stuff they arent even using etc. we can tell LOL I click off of those immediately but some newbies do not know how to discern that! I've been homeschooling for a LONG time and can spot a faker who is just trying to get in on the newest MOM "hustle"!

I think what gives the good and the beautiful it's popularity are the videos of people saying the reasons why they love the curriculum and videos like yours saying this is why I'm no longer using it. Personally I do use the good and the beautiful but just like any other curriculum I used it as my guide. That's why I homeschool my kids , I'm able to add and take away from it. Is it perfect? No, But I will make it work.

I can really relate to you in this. I have an older child graduated and now out of the house, as well as 3 younger children I homeschool. My youngest is 2. I totally agree with you about making sure you are not trying to fallow what works for others and knowing that there is no perfect curriculum! I use the good and the beautiful for one child because it works so well for him, after trying many. We cannot use anyone else as a false idol or as the “homeschool bible.” Everyone has to know what works for them, and for their child. Love you!❤ 17:49

Yeah I have printed and bought and tried different things and I always feel like I wind up using the LEAST popular curriculum and companies, and it just makes you feel like maybe you aren’t on the “winning” team… it makes you think about program X when I just know that no matter how much other people cherish X, we in our family just have different ideas or challenges or needs or flexibility about school. It’s hard to be brave and say “you know what? I am fine with my choice of Z and I don’t regret being over here when I feel like everyone else is over there”.

It definitely takes trial and error. I've been homeschooling for 13 years and still learning new things and trying new curriculums. I agree though I don't love the good and the beautiful.

For me, it doesn’t feel like there’s a space beyond the black and white in various different topics. There’s no room for non-religious but willing to adapt religious material. Or Charlotte mason inspired but more eclectic. Christian but believe in evolution. It’s frustrating!

I have definitely been influenced: there were a bunch of videos hyping Dash Into Reading and I bought it and don't love it. Live and learn 🙂 I personally had to turn away from TGTB math because the pages are so visually busy that they frazzled my brain.

I feel the same way about IEW. I was highly influenced to try IEW. I throughly researched it and didn’t find anyone who didn’t like it. My kids hated it. I started to dread to read their writing. I know it works very well for a lot of homeschoolers, but not us.

Who are the channels you love?

My problem with the home schooling stuff, is I can't find any British/English/UK Based curriculum's. It's all American and makes looking at curriculums quite difficult. Any recommendations would be useful. I'm also not too interested in the religious premise of homeschooling, personally.

The best advice i heard was you’re not married to a curriculum. In groups I see people justifying trying to quit or even stop homeschooling im like you dont need anyones permission to do whats best for your family. If homeschooling isnt working or harming your relationship with your child stop.

I have a 15 year old taking an online course to get her permit right now as well. We had to ask a friend for help to figure it all out.

I hate videos that post homeschool curriculum then say "So, I'll let you know how it goes" 😡. Like no, don't bother posting if you haven't used it yet!