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Homeschooling As a Lifestyle: Getting Out of My Homeschool Mom Box

As I’ve started putting things together for the coming school year, I’ve been thinking a lot about how much has changed since I started homeschooling. This will be our fourth official year as a homeschooling family. When we first started on this adventure, I dove in the same way I believe a lot of new homeschoolers do. I bought all of the popular books and great curriculum. I had pretty schedules & lesson plans written out, and I did everything by the book. I was trying to fit into the “homeschool mom” box.

HHM Box Post

But the more I learned about myself, my children, and homeschooling in general, the more I realized there is no such thing as a homeschool box. All that encompasses what homeschooling is today cannot fit into any size box. We are all so very different. Our families have different needs, schedules, and abilities. It was detrimental for me to try to compare myself to other homeschooling moms I know. It’s nice to have a mentor, a person to model yourself after, especially in the beginning, but once you get the hang of what you are doing and what your children need, embrace that! Follow your instincts! God gave us this calling because He believes we can do it. He is leading me on this journey, and I’ve found the freedom to break away from the non-existent “box” and to do what is best for my family.

I put aside the pretty planners and vastly detailed lesson plans. I opted for schooling year round rather than following the public-school-like schedule I had planned for. We no longer start and end school/subjects at a certain time. I’ve cleared out my overabundance of educational materials we could never get around to using. My bright blue and green school room flashing my homeschool pride has been condensed down to a cabinet in my dining room that hides the clutter and matches my decor. Homeschooling has stopped being a “hobby. ” Instead, we are now homeschooling as a lifestyle. It’s a major commitment to me now, and it’s a much of a deeper part of me.

Everything that I had planned to be is not at all what I am becoming. And I am so okay with that! I feel at peace with the choices I’ve made. I’ve learned, grown, and developed, and I hope (I’m sure!) I will continue to do so. God is shaping me into what He wants me to be. I know if I continue to seek Him, He will continue to lead. I’m thankful for the journey, and so very thankful that God has called me to do this amazing thing.

 

 

I live in Missouri in a little country home that I love. Our family includes my husband and me, our two children, one dog, four cats, and twenty-four chickens. I am madly in love with my husband of 5 years. We are both blessed to be able to work from home while homeschooling our children. We are beginning our 4th year homeschooling. I’m a furniture flipper, medical transcriber, and assistant to my husband in leading our church’s youth group. We love Jesus and actively make Him the center of our home. I love decorating, bargain hunting, writing, studying God’s word, and sitting outside with a cup of coffee on a quiet, crisp early morning.

 

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5 Comments

  1. This post puts to words what God has been showing me this school year. It’s been so restful and rewarding to school three children this year because of freedom thru Jesus and his grace. Beautiful post. Thank you.

    1. I’m so very glad you enjoyed this post! We are so thankful to have such wonderful guest posts to share! We agree that the author did a great job, and we’re happy that she wrote this encouraging post for us to share with our readers.

  2. Thanks for this. I’m trying to find my zone and struggling to break free from my own expectations. I appreciate your honesty. 🙂

  3. Thanks for the words of encouragement and inspiration as I ponder what the next year has in store for us and how I can best meet the needs of my children. Their education is, as you said, becoming our lifestyle.

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