When I first started thinking about this post and what was essential for our homeschool to succeed, I thought I would be making a list of products and curriculum we love. However, when I actually started brainstorming my list it looked nothing like I thought it would. There were no references to supplies or curriculum, but instead focused on intangibles. These ten intangible homeschool essentials allow me to homeschool through difficult times, find joy in the process, and keep my homeschool on course.
Ten Homeschool Essentials
1. God’s direction
God has given us an incredible privilege and responsibility to raise and train our children. He talks about it in multiple places in the Bible (Deuteronomy 6:7, Proverbs 22:6). Even if we choose to delegate the educational training to someone else, it is still our responsibility to train our children. In order to do this, we must rely on God. He will provide the guidance and direction we need for parenting and teaching our children.
2. Habit training
Charlotte Mason talks a lot about developing good habits in us and in our children. She refers to developing a habit like a train moving along tracks. The train moves smoothly because it moves along the track. It does not need to make a path or determine the best route to take. Habits can be the same for our children. Developing good habits is hard work, but the benefits are far reaching. My days rarely are perfect, but they run much smoother because of the habits we have developed.
3. Support
Support is essential to successful homeschooling and comes in many forms. Being with your children 24/7 takes its toll on you as a parent/teacher. (You can read why we homeschool even though homeschooling can be challenging.)
I wouldn’t be able to homeschool well if my husband wasn’t on board. He provides emotional support on days that are particularly tough.
I also wouldn’t be able to homeschool without the support of friends. There are days I need to attend appointments alone or just need to get out of the house without little helpers for a few hours. If you have family in town, they can help with these needs when they arise. If your family lives out of town like ours, trade off play dates with a friend.
4. Love
I definitely couldn’t homeschool without love. There are days I don’t like my children very much. (Those are usually the days we could all use a nap!) But because I love my children, I am willing to make the sacrifices necessary to homeschool them because I believe it is the best for them.
5. Patience
Have you thought you don’t have the patience to homeschool? I did! I remember the conversation I had with a friend when my oldest was two years old. I told her, “I don’t have the patience to homeschool my children.” God had other plans.
He has given me many opportunities to develop patience. Some areas specifically relate to my children (each one brings unique challenges that require patience) while others relate to other areas of my life. I still do not consider myself a patient person, but I am continually working on that character quality.
6. Humor
Humor is a must! There are days all you can do is laugh. You will see the best and the worst of every member of your family when you are with them all day long. If the tension mounts too much, we put the books away and dance to a favorite song or start a tickle war. Some days it seems like we face every obstacle possible and all we can do is laugh at the situation.
7. Grace
There are many times our children will mess up. We must remember that they are children and are still learning. We must train them in the right way, but must show them grace in the process. They don’t deserve that grace some days. It is on those days that they need grace even more. It is also important to remember that our children are not the only ones who need grace, we need it too. We are human and make mistakes.
8. Flexibility
No matter how well you have your day planned, something unexpected will happen. There will be days that follow your ideal, but they are probably few. Your husband forgot something that you need to take to him at work. A child is sick. You didn’t print out the lesson you thought you did. The weather is beautiful so you decide to have a nature study day instead of book learning. There are many reasons your school lessons may be interrupted. support of friends
9. Humility
If you are not humble, God will help you become humble. It’s not about your teaching ability or the curriculum you choose. It’s about being God’s hands and feet as your children learn what He wants them to learn. It is important to teach them the basics (reading, writing, math, history, etc.), but don’t forget there are many important life lessons your children will learn that are not covered in a book.
It is also important to remember that your method of teaching is not the only right method. We need to have the humility to recognize that other methods work for other families and God has given them the direction and freedom to choose what works for them.
10. Forgiveness
There are many opportunities to practice forgiveness during a typical homeschool day—for me to forgive my children, for them to forgive me, for them to forgive each other. Learning will not be as productive if we, or our children, are holding a grudge.
There have been days we paused all learning until we dealt with an issue. Once we talked through the situation and restored the relationship, we were able to continue with lessons. It required flexibility because we probably did not finish all we had planned for the day because of the interruption, but through the {usually} painful process we strengthened relationships and character.
Want to see what other homeschools can’t do without? Check out other posts by iHomeschool Network bloggers.
