Overcoming Busy

Homeschooling With A Little Help From Our Friends

August 25, 2009 by Marci

photo by Darren Hester

We officially kicked off home schooling in our house today.  After months of planning and waiting, I sat down at the kitchen table with our 8 year old daughter this morning and dove right in.  It was wonderful!  I found it so amazing the strengths and interests I saw in her on our first day.  The fact that I know we can develop those instead of having to stop and move to the next subject on the agenda is fabulous.  That is one of the reasons we wanted to home school.

Last spring, when we decided that this was the educational path we needed to take, I had no idea what to expect.  I just knew I had total peace about it.  There was no doubt in my mind that this was what we were supposed to do.  To get me pointed in the right direction, I sent out a couple text messages and emails to some home schooling friends to tell them the news and ask for help.  Within a couple hours, I had “appointments”  set up with them to go over what they do and how they do it.  That was so helpful.  I took a little away from each friend.  It was go great to realize that if I needed help, I just needed to sound the alarm and help was right there!

After meeting with friends and getting info on what curriculum and methods they use, I also went searching online.  Now, seriously, there is more home schooling info online than you could ever get through in a lifetime.  But, I did find a few resources I find myself going back to again and again.  There are several blogs that I have gone to for great organizational tips for home school time and space.  Some blogs have  links to other great home school sites they recommend.  I have, also, found some resources for useful printables.

Today, it all came together and so far, so good.  I realize it was only the first day, but it really went much smoother and more enjoyable than I had imagined.  I am sure there will be challenges, but life is like that.  It is very comforting and encouraging to know that we can do it with a little help from our friends.  Here’s to another great day of home schooling tomorrow!

Here’s a few links that have been very helpful to us in starting our homeschooling journey

Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers – This site is a great resource for all things home school.  There is curriculum reviews, lesson ideas, time management tips, a weekly showcase featuring all sorts of homeschool links.  One of my faves.

Generation Cedar -  Not just a homeschool blog, but written by a homeschooling mother of 8!  I love reading about their laid back approach to education.

Organizing Your Way – One of my favorite organizing blogs is now a wonderful source for homeschool organizing info!  Mandi has just jumped into homeschooling, too, and has had some great articles from herself and from other homeschooling moms over the past couple weeks.

The Homeschool Channel Blog - Various authors cover lots of areas of homeschooling

Donna Young - An unbelievable amount of printables for all areas of homeschooling