Homeschooling philosophies abound. Books, magazines, and websites all boast the right and best way to guide your child through their school days. Which method should you choose?In my early days of homeschooling, I researched- a lot. Reading homeschooling and education books were like a hobby for me and I was determined to succeed in discovering the best way to navigate this road. Through a book called How to Homeschool, I found unit studies and I was hooked. Snuggling up on the couch with a pile of books and doing projects together seemed the perfect way to teach my girls. The idea of following a public classroom model was tossed out the window and this gentle way of learning together as a family would guide us down the long road. Confidence overflowed, and I believed I had found the formula.
As life rolled along and more babies came my way, I became aware that unit studies did not work for all people in all seasons of life. Four kids under the age of eight was an eye-opening experience for me. I felt smothered and lost, barely able to get us all dressed and ready for the day by noon. Sitting down to read a book to my kids or leading them in an experiment or project was impossible. I felt like a failure as a homeschooling parent.
Enter textbooks.
Textbooks and worksheets became my salvation. For years I had looked down on textbooks because they seemed to be the easy way out. Take in information, spit out the information and move on to new information. It turns out that I loved them. All of the lessons were in one place, ready for me to open the book and begin.
Soon normalcy and peace returned to our little homeschool, and smiles were once again on our faces. I learned that over the long years of homeschooling, needs would change and so would my family. Being able to adapt and change would be necessary. We would never discover one formula to take us all the way through to the end.
These days, with no little ones to keep busy, school days are easier. We can focus in on interesting people and places, and we can discuss ideas. Without diaper changes or fussy toddlers, unit studies are back. Classical methods have become part of our philosophy, and we leave room for a few textbooks on the table each morning. We learn, we explore, we grow. For today it works.
Have we discovered the perfect approach? Probably not, but I do know that a parent who cares enough to research and educate themselves on how to homeschool will find the correct path to follow. Your way may be different than my family's approach, but now I know that many different methods work. The most important ingredient is a loving parent who desires to teach, train and lead their child to adulthood. With that in the formula, it is hard to go wrong.
