You’ve decided to homeschool. Maybe, it was an easy decision. You did it last year and nobody died, you didn’t mess up your children too badly, why not continue? Or maybe, it was not easy to arrive at this place. Perhaps you asked yourself how you could teach your child chemistry when you failed it yourself? . . . how can you teach this little one how to read while potty training the toddler and nursing a newborn ’round the clock? . . .not to mention the challenges of moody pre-teens or ambitious (and always hungry) teenagers. You know, all the same questions we are all asking. Are we crazy to homeschool? Is there really one perfect way to homeschool?
If God has confirmed that homeschooling is right for your family and you are still doubting if you can homeschool, let’s take a look at that best homeschool method. This is when you know you should be obedient to God’s will, but how? That is when the One Perfect Way to Homeschool comes in. Now, this is not a one-size-fits-all option. Sure, there are a few curricula options that have little in the way of choice other than what grade level your child needs. For some, this might be the One Perfect Way.
There is also the possibility that you will need a couple of curriculum pieces to complete one class. You use a little of this with some of that and fit it a bit of the other as well. That is what our history looks like these days. You know what? That might be the One Perfect Way. for that student. for that class. for that semester.
If you are willing to look at how your child learns best and re-evaluate for each year, if not semester, then you are using that One Perfect Way. The biggest thing I have learned as we begin our 12th year homeschooling our six children is that there is One Perfect Way and it looks different every year for each child. One of the great blessings in homeschooling is fitting the curriculum to the learner. In other school options, the child is stuck with what works best for the classroom or school’s budget. Now, that doesn’t mean that the budget is unlimited or Mama’s teaching style doesn’t matter.
I can choose the method that I feel drawn to. That works, for a while. When you use curriculum that utilizes multiple learning styles (kinesthetic, audio, visual, etc.) your children will do well. I am finding though, as they get older, tailoring the curriculum to their specific style and needs goes much further in their ability to learn more and learn it well. So, spend some time learning how your child learns best. Read some reviews on how curricula works for various families then pare down that list based on your budget and teaching style.
What you will be left with is the One Perfect Way to Homeschool. It may change from year to year. You may find yourself buying curricula in the middle of the year (I highly recommend that over both learner and parent suffering when something is a bad fit). In short, the One Perfect Way to Homeschool is the way that suits your learner, your budget and your teaching style (that means unschooling if needed during newborn seasons). I truly believe that any parent can homeschool their child. That may look radically different in your family than it does in mine – and that means you are doing it right.
