Homeschooling Has Changed: Stay True to Your Goals
Homeschooling has changed over the past decade.
When I started homeschooling in 2012, it was not cool.
I got a lot of questions and judgements when my husband and I decided to keep our very bright 5 year old son home for kindergarten.
I was not a trained teacher, the only people who homeschool are weird, moms who homeschool wear long jean skirts and have long hair, and WHAT will you do about socialization? What will you do about HIGHSCHOOL?
Sometimes it hurts, but you have to follow your heart.
Our Big Decision to Homeschool
He stayed home, we kept homeschooling, he’s a junior this year. Still homeschooling but also taking classes at the local community college. It was a good choice for us.
Back in 2012, there were 1.8 million homeschool children in America. In 2023, there are at least 4.3 million homeschooled children in the United States.
The trend shows no signs of slowing down.
How Homeschooling Has Changed
In many ways, it was easier to homeschool in 2012.
The market was not flooded with so many excellent and dynamic sources. Back then, it was mostly textbooks and teachers’ guides, great literature, and the library that guided your at-home education.
Of course, we had the Internet and Pinterest, but there were not Facebook Groups for everything and no Instagram reels. I did not even have a smartphone until 2016.
The extra activities often had to wait until school kids were out, so the days were full of free time and sibling time.
If you had a homeschool group, you knew everyone. They weren’t that big.
Second Guessing Myself
There were some negatives. My kids did have to answer awkward questions in public places during the school day. “Is it a day off school?” Followed by other awkward questions when the strangers find out we homeschool.
I did question myself more, wondering if I was making the right choice, but in hindsight, that was because I was a young mom and a good mom.
In 2012, there were Traditional homeschoolers, classical homeschoolers, unschoolers, an a few Charlotte Mason homeschoolers.
What is New
But everything in homeschooling has changed in the past decade.
It is hard to pick through all of the beautiful, dynamic resources available.
The World Wide Web is an incredible tool, but we have to fight against it taking over our day, our kids, and our time.
Homeschool band, homeschool gymnastics, homeschool art class, homeschool karate, homeschool swim, homeschool nature camp, homeschool skate……we are profitable and everyone wants our money and time. It is hard to stay home and just teach your kids.
Hybrid options are another hurdle, with your kids going to school two or three days a week and doing homework the other days.
Homeschool groups are growing, growing…..our local group had a back to school fiend day this month. Over 300 people were there. This is awesome, but I hope everyone was welcomed.
There are so many more “styles” of homeschooling, and most people do a blend. But how do you find your tribe in real life. Internet friends are not the same as park dates.
In short, just as our world has gotten more chaotic with more, more, more, homeschooling has done the same. Almost all of the changes are intended with good in mind.
Going forth, if you are homeschooling your kids this year, I hope that you do these things.
Goals for Homeschooling Today
Stay true to your family.
Why are you homeschooling? What do you want to achieve? Write these goals and ideas down and refer to them often.
Keep your eyes on your own paper.
Do your research and diligence. Make a plan for the year or semester (or a month, if that’s your style). Don’t compare your kids or yourself to other people. Just do your best.
Give your kids space.
Require what you ask of them, and no more. Let them be bored, let them have time for play, let them entertain themselves (without a screen, if possible). Give them books about hobbies, let them work for family and friends and neighbors, let them pick what they do in their spare time. Organized sports are good, but make sure they have time to teach themselves. If you need help getting your kids started in a hobby, check out these posts:
Hobbies for Homeschoolers: New Year Resolutions
Unique Hobbies for Homeschoolers- 14 New Ideas
Give yourself grace.
Homeschooling is a huge sacrifice of a mom’s time and resources. It is full of heart and prayer. If you are not perfectly patient or super fun or totally organized. give yourself grace. If you struggle with teaching science or writing or don’t like playing math games, give yourself grace. If you feel totally fried by 3pm, give yourself grace. You are doing fine. Just keep showing up and you will get better at the things you struggle with. You are doing fine.
Try to minimize the chaos.
You have to say no to the good to say yes to the best. Prayerfully discern the best use of your time and your children’s time. Homeschooling has changed a lot in the past decade end you have to stay true to yourself and your family. Stay strong, mamas!
To be successful at anything, you need a plan. Start with these steps. If I have learned anything in 11 years, this would be my best advice.
Happy Homeschooling, happy hobbying!
