I was thinking today about our homeschooling journey and how much I personally have learned from the experience so here are 5 life lessons that I have learned from homeschooling.
- Worrying is useless and gets you nowhere.
I used to, and still do somewhat, worry about the path I’m taking my girls down but I try to remember that worrying really is a useless and time consuming activity. I try to take Mark Twain‘s advice: “Drag your thoughts away from your troubles… by the ears, by the heels, or any other way you can manage it.” - When a child (or an adult for that matter) is ready and interested in learning something it will happen rapidly.
This was by far the hardest thing for me to learn but the most valuable one. I know I’ve spoken about this before but this is the most important lesson I have learned. I still struggle with the patience to allow this to happen organically but it is in my mind always. - The sky’s the limit.
With a true love for learning and time you can accomplish almost anything. - Learning comes from within.
Learning is a self driven activity. I can teach and teach and teach but unless the kids are interested and attentive they will never truly learn. This is another tough one to get through my thick skull but it’s extremely important. I do my best to expose them to as many opportunities as possible and seize on the ones that spark interest. - “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
Another quote, this time from Einstein. I am constantly amazed at my children’s imagination and strive to cultivate it and not let the flame of imagination go out as it does for so many as we grow older.
What life lessons have you or your children learned through homeschooling?
Related Resources
- Unschooling the Practical Arts
- Getting Ready for our First “Official” Year of Homeschooling
- Homeschoolers are Rarely at Home.
Love this Jenn! I think these are lessons all parents should keep in mind even if they don’t homeschool! There’s so much pressure to do things a certain way, and it’s key to remember that we are above all individuals.
We learned so much from homeschooling, but most importantly we learned that we were right to allow our oldest the space he needed to learn, grown and improve without the pressure and constraints of the school setting. Now that he is back in school he is doing fantastic in the setting and is completely at ease with who he is and how he learns. It’s a wonderful thing.
While we don’t homeschool now, we find that so much of our time is spent exploring when the kids aren’t at school that I feel somewhat like we still homeschool since we can offer them an education beyond their classroom. 🙂
I agree Kelly. They are really parenting/life learning lessons.
Something happens this time of year, and I start to worry about the benefits of homeschooling. Then I stop and make a list, similar to yours, and roll on again for another few months. Definitely relate to 1, its the most important for me. And 5. Their creativity is overwhelming!
I could have written that post – I feel exactly the same!
Great insights! We are in our 15th year of homeschooling. My 17yo graduated high school last year and is now a college sophomore. My youngest is 15 and in 11th grade. You can do this. It is the best way to educate your children. If you ever need help or encouragement just drop me a line. I’m @MomMaven on Twitter.
Thanks. I’ll definately hit you up for info. I am so thankful that the homeschooling/unschooling community is so willing to help each other out and share what worked (and sometimes more importantly didn’t work). Heading off to follow you!
We have been considering the home school option. There is so much information and trying to decide what is right has been stressful! Thank for the post. It has calmed me down (a little) 🙂
Tara, It really is such an individual decision. Before I had kids I thought that people who homeschooled were absolutely bonkers. Needless to say I’ve changed my mind. Good luck on your journey of figuring it out for your family and please don’t hesitate to drop me a line or @ me on Twitter. I’m @harmonicmama
SUCH important lessons! After homeschooling for years, I still forget and lose focus. I should write these backwards on my forehead. (You know, so I can read them when I look in the mirror. Um, imagination is a good thing, right?)
Blast from the past: : 5 Life Lessons Learned from #Homeschooling http://t.co/xg09ywbsv4
#Education #Family