It’s that time of year when the autumnal colours dazzle us on our nature walks, we begin to lose our lackluster for our homeschool routines, others declare themselves as bored, and some declare the white flag of homeschool mama overwhelm.
Let’s explore how to reimagine your homeschool, lean into child-inspired learning, and create meaningful connections—because your unique homeschooling journey can begin now.
Let’s reimagine your homeschool…
Understanding your “why” in homeschooling is necessary (In the first few homeschool years, I didn’t think I had time to dig deep into that, but I learned I didn’t have time NOT to ask myself why).
Homeschooling isn’t just about formal learning activities– you want to choose an intentional, purposeful life for your family.
- So begin by asking yourself “why” are you homeschooling?
- Then ask yourself what you value in an education?
- Finally, ask yourself how your personal values and family values align with those educational values.
Homeschooling allows you to:
- Create meaningful experiences and adventures together
- Tailor education to your family’s values and interests
- Foster deeper family connections
- Engage in personal growth alongside your children
- Break free from conventional expectations
This was my story…
It was one week of reading one book that convinced me that homeschooling was the right option for my family. But I hadn’t consciously written my reasons in that journal. I simply did my requisite research (for 2 years), then pulled my girls from the private school, and determined to build our homeschool family life.
I quickly learned that constructing a homeschool without the firm scaffolding of a strong WHY would translate to hitting the wall of overwhelm by year 3.
By exploring your motivations, you’re not just choosing an educational path – you’re crafting a lifestyle that aligns with your authentic self and family vision and values.
- What aspects of traditional schooling felt misaligned with your family’s values or lifestyle?
- Describe your ideal day of learning with your children. What does it look like, and why does this vision appeal to you?
- How do you hope homeschooling will impact your family relationships in the long term?
- What personal growth do you hope to achieve through your homeschooling journey?
- In what ways do you want your children’s education to differ from your experiences in school?
- What fears or doubts do you have about homeschooling, and how do these relate to your core motivations?
- How does homeschooling align with your broader life goals and values?
- What unique opportunities or experiences do you hope to provide your children through homeschooling?
- How do you envision homeschooling contributing to your children’s character development and life skills?
- If you could sum up your homeschool philosophy in one sentence, what would it be?
Remember, there are no right or wrong answers. The goal is to gain clarity on your motivations and values for homeschooling.
Deschooling your Unhelpful Mindsets
As homeschoolers, we often find ourselves unlearning traditional school methods – a process we call “deschooling.” We might not even be familiar with this word till years into our homeschool and discover that we’d been doing it all along.
When we homeschool, we notice that our kids learn despite a conventional approach.
But what exactly are we deschooling and what conventional approach do we need to leave behind?
Many of us carry misconceptions about education that we’ve absorbed from conventional schooling:
- We assume learning only happens at certain times, in certain ways.
- We believe children need constant busyness and exposure to new things.
- We think learning must be organized into subjects and grade levels.
- We assume certified teachers are necessary for learning.
- We believe education must follow a pre-planned, sequential curriculum.
But as we homeschool, we discover that real learning is different. We learn that:
- Children can learn anytime, anywhere.
- Emotional connections and attachment are crucial for learning.
- Each child’s learning journey is unique.
- Parents can be effective educators without formal teaching credentials.
- Learning can be organic, interest-driven, and non-linear.
Unlearning these misconceptions allows us to reimagine your homeschool. We can create learning environments that truly serve our children’s needs and nurture their innate curiosity and potential.
Remember, as Einstein said, “Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
Child-Inspired Learning: What It Means
This is my story…
One year, I was intent on my kids learning to spend more time in formal writing. I wanted them to learn to communicate their thoughts, learn to express themselves, learn to critically think, and formulate interesting thoughts. So I put away the formal writing curriculum and asked them what they wanted to write.
With the writing curriculum, I was pulling teeth to keep every child at the homeschool table, learning to create a compound sentence, a 3-point essay, or even a simple paragraph for the sake of learning each of those things. With their full attention, when I offered that we write about any topic they wanted to write about, I had engaged kids. In fact, the stories they wrote in NaNoWriMo month, were remarkable.
Now it isn’t to say that I didn’t incorporate writing curriculum and online courses, I most definitely did! But I used them as an adjunct to learning through thinking, imagining, and excitedly getting the pen to paper.
Child-inspired learning is about following your child’s natural curiosity and interests. Instead of sticking to rigid lesson plans, you let your child’s passions guide their education.
Here’s why it’s amazing for both you and your kids:
- It unleashes curiosity and deep learning. When kids are genuinely interested, they become learning sponges!
- It personalizes the learning path. Every child learns differently, and this approach embraces their unique styles.
- It encourages thinking outside the box. Learning can happen anywhere – through Minecraft, Legos, or even making mud patties!
- Education becomes a lifelong adventure of play and discovery.
By leaning into child-inspired learning, you’ll watch your children’s curiosity flourish, their interests ignite, and their love for learning deepen. Plus, it makes homeschooling so much easier!
Practical Tips for Structure & Flexibility
So how do you include structure and flexibility in your homeschool routine while incorporating extracurriculars, keeping your kids motivated, and assessing their progress?
Big ole question.
Because we know homeschooling is not just about ticking off boxes—it’s about creating meaningful experiences and adventures, and tailoring education to your family’s unique values, interests, and specific children, consider these possible application tips:
Start by creating a flexible daily routine.
Yes, structure is important, but give yourself the freedom to adapt.
Note your child’s natural rhythms and let them guide you. Then note yours. And honour them too.
Some days, a math lesson might not be understood that morning alone; other days, maybe your kids started a science project sparked by curiosity and you ask WHY you would stop the learning.
This is you, flexible homeschool mom in action!
ps I found being flexible the very most difficult thing to do, so if this ain’t your strong suit, I feel you!
To keep your kids motivated, remember to follow their interests. Require less, inquire more. Child-inspired learning is about letting curiosity lead.
ps you’re curiosity is invited to the homeschool table too. Incorporate your interests too.
When you tap into what excites them, whether it’s dinosaurs, outer space, or baking, they stay engaged naturally. Create a space in your days for open exploration and have fun doing it.
Finally, assess progress holistically.
Learning isn’t about grades or test scores—it’s about personal growth, learning problem-solving, critical thinking skills, tangible skills, and developing emotional intelligence. Observe how they engage with challenges, develop new skills, and build their confidence: assume their growth is progressive, in fits and starts and is entirely a unique learning journey.
Learning is lifelong: it doesn’t end at 18. And when you teach them to live their lives in curiosity and play at 8, they’ll live their lives in curiosity and play all life long.
Teresa Wiedrick, your Homeschool Life Coach
Overcoming your Homeschool Challenges
Here are just 4 of 15 strategies I speak to on overcoming overwhelm.
First, let’s talk about boundaries.
Establishing clear boundaries in your homeschool can help you reclaim your time. This might mean scheduling 15 minutes a week just for you or turning off notifications during school hours.
- Schedule quiet time with the kids.
- Pre-plan responses to nosy questions.
- Designate family time to connect with your children.
Next, reduce activities. Are your days filled with too many playdates or field trips? Time block your week to see where you can simplify.
Finally, make sure you’re nurturing yourself. Find that interest you love—even if it’s just for 15 minutes a week. Remember, a happy mom means a happy homeschool!
Teresa Wiedrick, author of Homeschool Mama Self-Care: Nurturing the Nurturer
Building a Supportive Community
Local groups offer friendship, resources, and a chance to share experiences. They remind you that you’re not alone on this path!
And if you’re looking for support beyond your area, join our online Confident Homeschool Mom Collective! It’s a space where we lift each other up, share tips, and celebrate our wins together.
In Conclusion…
Remember, understanding your “why” is essential in homeschooling. Lean into child-inspired learning by following your child’s passions, which fosters curiosity and a deeper connection with them. Practice unlearning those limiting beliefs around education—real learning happens anywhere!
Connect with other homeschool moms through local groups and online spaces like the Confident Homeschool Mom Collective. Finally, honour your unique homeschool journey and reflect on your reasons as you continue to co-create your homeschool family’s learning journey.
You got this, girlfriend!
Reimagine your Homeschool Workbook
Introducing the Reimagine Your Homeschool Workbook! Reflect on the past year, assess what worked and what didn’t, and build the homeschool you truly want. Evaluate curriculum, routine, philosophy, and plan for the future. Get renewed inspiration and fresh ideas.
People also ask:
- Listen to the Reimagine your Homeschool Podcast Season
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- Breaking Free: How Deschooling Helps You Live a Purposeful Life
- Reimagine your Homeschool Coaching Services
- How to Create a Homeschool Routine that Works for You
- Homeschool Help to Reimagine your Homeschool
- curiosity and education: how to facilitate it
Teresa Wiedrick
I help homeschool mamas shed what’s not working in their homeschool & life so they can show up authentically, purposefully, and confidently in their homeschool & life.
