If you saw my last post, you know that I’m in the beginning stages of becoming a homeschooling mom. This is still kind of scary for me but also SOOOOOO exciting!
I really feel like my heart and mind are being prepared for the biggest challenge of my life, but I am SO ready to take it on!
Since all this homeschool stuff started becoming serious in our house, I’ve made so many friends and had so many amazing conversations with other homeschooling parents. Best of all, I think I’m becoming a better parent. I’m already thinking so differently about things- trying to find teaching moments in everything and making sure I am meeting my kids’ developmental and educational needs on a daily basis.
Of course this concept should be a goal for all parents, and I’ve always known I should be doing it, but now it’s like I’ve been hired for a new job as “teacher”. I’m motivated for the job to start, and guess what? I get to start NOW because with homeschooling there are no rules! Woohoo!
No rules doesn’t mean there is no structure. “No rules” means there isn’t one correct way or proper time to homeschool.
I’ve discovered that homeschooling in 2013 is incredible! From blogs to ipads, ebooks and technology to museums and city programs, we are going to ROCK as homeschoolers! (Don’t worry, I’ve been warned of those bad days that I will be questioning everything and freaking out…and I’m still questioning my ability to do this every other hour.)
There are some seriously amazing resources that I’ve already started soaking in, so I’d like to share what I’ve found so far. Honestly, the amount of resources available is blowing my mind. There are some AMAZING PARENTS in the blogosphere! Here are some links and resources I’ve come across so far that I think anyone in my shoes will appreciate:
Denise In Bloom is one of my favorite blogs. I can relate to so much she has on her site. Her posts on homeschooling were the first ones I came across and they were PERFECT for me to get started.
“So You Think You Want To Homeschool? And 11 Hinderances to Getting Started”
“6 Ways to Prepare for Homeschooling in your Heart and Home.”
“10 Homeschool Resources to Encourage Moms.”
BINGO!
My friend Justyn from Creative Christian Mama has a ton of awesome posts for home-schoolers featuring STUFF TO ACTUALLY DO! My daughter loves spending time on projects, crafts and educational games, but I am not one of those creative moms at all. Making fairy houses out of recycled boxes is the best I’ve done so far. Thankfully ladies like Justyn are here to rescue me! Here are a few of my favorites that we’re going to do right away:
Sense of Sight Color Game , Mystery Box Game, Sense of Smell Game and an adorable Pencil Box craft.
One of my BIGGEST concerns has been WHAT TO DO WITH MY 2-YEAR OLD WHILE I HOMESCHOOL?!?! This post from Imperfect Homemaker kind of answered this perfectly: How to Occupy Your 2-Year Old While You Homeschool.
Kristen at Smithspirations is another experienced homeschooler posting about her “Education Escapades.” I really enjoy reading her posts and being encouraged by her!
I found Homespun Rabble Rouser’s post on “What I Learned in our First Year of Homeschool”. I can’t wait to write the same sort of post next summer!
Intoxicated on Life is a husband and wife blog I found that is super inspiring. They had a few very informative posts worth reading:
What is Classical Christian Education
Why I’m Learning Latin (And Teaching My Kids, Too)
I LOVED their post on 7 Reasons to Teach Your Kids Astronomy.
I’m LOVING hearing from all you homeschooling parents out there, as well as the other parents in the same boat that I’m in who need advice. I’m really looking forward to sharing my adventures with you…whether we homeschool forever or not.
So what do you want to add to this list? I’m sure I could use even more brilliance from my wonderful readers!