Episode 147: Curriculum FOMO
What You’ll Learn
We’re coming to you today to talk about something that affects homeschool mommas everywhere…curriculum addiction (or curriculum FOMO).
Just Choose Something (01:00)
I’m a new starter, and Brittany is an old hat person (she’s more likely to go with what’s tried and true). But even for us, it IS tough when we see what other people are doing and see the shiny and new things.
There are so many good options out there, and we don’t really know what works for our family until we try something. So if you’re a new homeschool momma, don’t be afraid to pick something that checks at least a few of the boxes your family wants to focus on. Brittany highly recommends starting with a boxed curriculum (where everything comes together), because when you’re starting out you don’t have a reference point.
When the shiny curriculum FOMO hits, take a look at your why and figure out if what you’re looking at supports it…if yes, make the switch!
It’s important to remember, we are playing the LONG game. You are not going to ruin your child’s education with a curriculum that you use for 6 months or a year. Kids are learning so much outside of any curriculum we purchase and provide, and it’s important to remember that!
Year 1, Curriculum 1 (05:45)
Brittany started out with an out-of-the-box curriculum. For her brain, it worked great! But for her son’t brain, it didn’t really work. The program was Seton, and it was rigorous, but it didn’t work for Brittany’s family. She spoke to her mom (a seasoned homeschooler herself), and she suggested just picking books that Brittany and the kids were interested in…and this opened up a whole new world for Britt.
There was still quite a bit of pressure, but it also offered freedom to work with what the kids and Brittany needed. It alleviated the stress of having to check specific boxes each day. This was the start of fine-tuning, changing, and shifting the program each year. Even now…9 years in, Brittany is still making improvements and small shifts because seasons change.
This idea that there are seasons in homeschooling is a big part of why Brittany loves Sarah Mackenzie’s book, “Teaching from Rest.” Because it was probably the single most impactful piece of material that she ever took in and applied to not just her homeschool, but to her heart.
I also started out with Seton, just like Brittany, but I wasn’t too stressed out by all the boxes that needed checking. I had already released myself from the thought that everything needed to be done, because I had older children who had already come home at the end of public and private schools with books FULL of pages that hadn’t been completed.
After Seton, I found Julie Bogart, and this is when we really introduced literature into our homeschools. Then, our group of friends started a co-op, Brittany made templates and printables, we did a little Catholic Schoolhouse, our friend Renee taught us nutrition, and it was so wonderful.
Then, for a variety of reasons, we had to move our co-op to Brittany’s house (all while families kept growing in number and age). This was when we REALLY lived our best food life (cooking and eating together), but it also became hard to accommodate ALL the kids of varying ages in one space. So, when we took a break for summer, we made the decision to stop the co-op.
One of the biggest lessons we learned from schooling together and sharing ideas, was the power of story. So if you could do nothing else, just read to your kid and do a math page every other day, and that CAN be enough. The thread that has weaved through every year of each of our homeschools has been literature.
In our homeschool, we’ve used Julie Bogart, Classical Academic Press, Catholic Schoolhouse, and many other resources. My kids can be a hard sell for most things, and if this is you, choose things that YOU want to learn. The shiny curriculum gets to be shiny if it lines up with your WHY and your interests.
If you live somewhere that allows the opportunity to attend a homeschool convention, it would be nice to attend and actually get to hold and look through what’s available (we’ve not had this). But Brittany makes an excellent point that you really have to use something in your family before you know if it works. Every curriculum will have downfalls and benefits, so it is SO important to know why you’re homeschooling and what your goal is each year.
For those who are starting out, I always say that less is more. Reading a great book and doing math pages can be sufficient (especially in the beginning). Build relationships, and love your kids, because those who feel safe, loved, comforted, and supported will learn so much more.
Favorite Curriculums (10:25)
I love them all! Some things we’ve used year after year are the Julie Bogart book guides from Brave Learner. I love these because…
It comes ready to use (much beefier than when we started all those years ago).
It covers a wide variety of ages (my 6th-11th grader can learn things from the same book).
It keeps me interested (they are 4-5 week guides and this is perfect for my attention span).
Brittany’s favorite curriculum is The Good and The Beautiful because Jenny Phillips just KNOWS families. Instead of making a curriculum for a child…she makes it for a child in a family.
Lessons are reasonable, age-appropriate, and attention-span-appropriate (and she sets moms up for success).
Several subjects are included in one (like language arts). You’ll find art, geography, and history included in many lessons.
The lessons are truly good and beautiful. Faith is included in a very subtle and lovely way.
The curriculum spirals excellently, you’ll see how each year builds on the previous.
If you need some help figuring these things out, check out our Homeschool Plan Like a Mother guide. It will help you figure out your ‘Why’ for this year (because it can and will change), and create a plan to get there.
And remember sweet mommas,
You are doing beautiful work!
