Episode 153: 10 Things Every New Homeschool Mom Needs
What You’ll Learn
We sat down and thought deeply about what NEW homeschool moms really need…this is what we came up with!
A Why (01:15)
The foundation of every incredible homeschool starts with a ‘why’. In Brittany’s family, the answer is ‘Heaven’ and it’s interwoven into everything their family does.
Choosing your ‘why’ makes every other decision easier. It’s almost like the ONE decision that every other flows from.
The Laws of Your State (02:40)
In our experience, HSLDA is the BEST resource for learning what your local laws are (in the United States). Although the U.S. is their main focus, they may also have some good information on where to find laws for other countries as well!
Teaching from Rest (03:30)
One book Britt and I always recommend when someone mentions homeschooling is Teaching From Rest by Sarah Mackenzie. It changed Brittany’s homeschooling heart. It is a powerful book that EVERY homeschool mom should read!
I have listened to this book several times, both of us have read the book several times, and we have given the book away several times. This is one you will want to revisit each year!
A Planner (05:20)
Brittany & I would both be lost without a planner! There are many types of planners, so it can be important to know which type(s) of planners you need!
I have used the teacher planner from Erin Condren for many years. They now have a homeschool planner (which I haven’t used-so I cannot recommend it), but the paper quality in ANY Erin Condren planner is AMAZING!
Brittany has used the Homeschool Planner from Plum Paper for years! She loves it because it’s totally customizable! The paper quality is amazing, AND their two-cover system is excellent (and Brittany’s planners have been through A LOT!)
Finally, we have to mention the Homeschool Plan Like a Mother from our shop! Brittany and I both use it, and it will set your entire year up for success! It gives you direction that helps you organize your thoughts (in what can feel like a chaotic life). It is digital (so you can reprint or print pages as you need them), and you can also fill it in digitally (if you prefer). Our hands-down favorite page is the Student Narrative (the idea comes from Julie Bogart).
Something Fun YOU Want to Study (11:15)
There will be a LOT of subjects you’ll be studying in the course of your homeschool, and you won’t like them all. BUT…we are students in our homeschool too, so we get to bring in subjects that interest us too (and we can introduce our children to these things). Enthusiasm begets enthusiasm.
This can demonstrate two things…awesome adulting (thanks Julie Bogart) AND the idea that you’ll be in your homeschool the longest (another nod to Sarah Mackenzie).
In our house, I LOVE languages, so we incorporate them into our days. Brittany also loves languages and brings them into her homeschool.
A Ready-to-Go Curriculum (14:05)
A ready-to-go curriculum is something where you can open the book or the box and just go! We’re trying to find a curriculum that’s in the vein of your why.
Actually…we know the BEST curriculum! It’s the one you aren’t intimidated by, one you can open each day and just do the next lesson.
Community (15:40)
Every homeschool momma needs a good homeschool friend or group! This isn’t always easy, so start with prayer to the Holy Spirit. Ask for a friend who aligns with your values, your faith, your family…
Next, take action! Get on Facebook and look for local groups. Ask around at church. Soon, you’ll see homeschoolers everywhere!
If you need a little something to remember, use the 3 P’s! Pause, Pray (to the Holy Spirit), and PAY ATTENTION! Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!
A Back-up Park Spot (17:45)
There will be a day when things just get HARD! This is when you NEED a back-up park spot (or maybe just a change in environment). This could seem counterintuitive, but it will benefit you and your kids! Take the break, change the environment, reconnect.
Brittany’s mom used to bring all the kids to a baseball field, local parks are a favorite, or even a tennis court will work!
Taking a break can do many things…it can get you in sunlight, it can change the course of the day!
A Just Because We Can List (20:45)
This is another Sarah Mackenzie-ism (we are greatly influenced by her), and it’s just a day off. These can be planned, or unplanned, but having a list ahead of time will set you up for success. If you have a list, you can choose an appropriate experience for the time you have (and you won’t lose precious hours).
It will bring a little joy, excitement, and adventure into your homeschool.
A Permission Slip to Have a Messy First Year (22:40)
Know that a messy first year won’t ruin anything! Give yourself a permission slip now to…not complete all the math lessons…skip some language arts exercises…sit down and have a read-aloud or play outside day.
You can’t put a price or value on building relationships with our kids. Most of us aren’t trying to make our kids geniuses…we’re just trying to bring our children up in a beautiful way.
We can’t place a price on the value of the relationships, the foundations, and the wholeness we can give our children in the safety of our home…in the safety of our ‘whys’…in the safety of our values, our morals, and our faith.
Education is so much wider and bigger than just academic learning. Our children are learning how to be good husbands and wives, how to build relationships, and how to run a house!
We’ve given you our 10, and we NEED you to share them! With a friend, a fellow homeschool momma, your entire co-op!
And please, never forget…
YOU are doing beautiful work!
