Homeschool Regrets || Thankful For Life's Lessons

Introduction

Welcome back to my channel! It's been a while since I've done a sit-down video, so it feels a little weird today. I'm collaborating with another homeschooling mama, A Chance Seven, who is an Air Force family just like us. If you're also a military family that homeschools, you’ll find great content on her channel. Today, we're going to share some of the homeschooling regrets and mistakes we've made along our journey.

Section 1: Checking Off Every Box

One thing I wish I had done differently in terms of curriculum is not feeling the need to check every box or complete every task on the to-do list. In the early years, especially preschool and kindergarten, I was obsessed with crossing off all the things on my to-do list. I wanted to make sure all the page work was done and all the little tasks were accomplished. I was so focused on the checklist that I neglected the importance of instilling wonder and curiosity in my children. Looking back, I realized that we only spent about half an hour each morning on actual school work. Instead of just completing tasks, I should have focused more on reading living books and nurturing their curiosity. School shouldn't have been just a checklist; it should have been a time for questions and exploration. I'm grateful that I've learned to step back and not stress over completing every single task. This newfound freedom has made our homeschooling experience much more enjoyable.

Section 2: Wasting Time on Unnecessary Research

Another mistake I made was spending too much time and energy researching curriculums and subjects that we ultimately didn't end up using. I would spend countless hours trying to find the best curriculum or resources for each grade level, even when I knew deep down that we weren't going to use a formal curriculum for certain subjects. I wish I had accepted that fact earlier and stopped looking into things that weren't relevant to our homeschooling approach. Time spent researching unnecessary curriculums could have been better spent on focusing on what truly mattered to our family.

Section 3: Not Taking Enough Breaks

During our early years of homeschooling, I often didn't take enough breaks. I was too focused on completing all the subjects quickly and efficiently, without considering my children's attention spans and needs. Young children have short attention spans, and it's important to recognize that. This year, I've learned to take regular breaks in between subjects, allowing my kids time to rest and recharge. We take 10-minute breaks in between each subject, which has made the learning experience much more enjoyable for everyone involved.

I've also learned to give myself grace and recognize when I need a break as well. It's crucial to take care of our own mental and emotional well-being as homeschooling parents. If there are days when I sense that both my children and I need a break, we take that day off and focus on activities that bring us joy. It's okay to deviate from the usual routine and prioritize self-care. On those days, we indulge in read-aloud sessions, play board games, and explore subjects like geography. These breaks not only rejuvenate us but also strengthen our bond as a family.

Section 4: Being Afraid to Switch Curriculums

Perhaps one of the biggest regrets I had was not being willing to switch curriculums when things weren't working. In the past, I felt obligated to stick with a curriculum even if it didn't resonate with my children or if they were having a hard time with it. I felt like I had already invested money in it, so I had to make it work. However, I've realized that forcing a curriculum upon my child only leads to frustration and disengagement in the long run. It’s better to close a book and find something else that aligns with their learning styles. This year, we made the decision to switch curriculums for both my first-grader and kindergartener, and it has made a world of difference. It's important to prioritize our children's enjoyment of learning and find resources that truly ignite their curiosity.

Conclusion

Looking back on our homeschooling journey, I've learned many valuable lessons and made some important adjustments along the way. It's important not to get caught up in checking off every box or wasting time on unnecessary research. Taking breaks and giving ourselves grace is crucial to maintaining a joyful homeschooling experience. And most importantly, if a curriculum isn't working, it's okay to let go and find something better suited to our children's needs. We have the freedom to go at our own pace and embrace the beautiful journey of homeschooling. Let's remember that homeschooling is not just about academics; it's about nurturing wonder, curiosity, and a love of learning in our children. And with each passing year, we will continue to grow and learn alongside our little ones.