Today is day two of Back to Homeschool week...

Tuesday, August 7---How do you homeschool?
Scheduling, classical education, unschooling, getting the kids to help with chores, how to be "mom" and "teacher" at the same time, special needs, teaching an advanced child, how to teach the  tough subjects, teaching high school, teaching with babies and preschoolers in the house, budgeting for homeschool supplies, notebooking, etc., etc., etc...

And my answer...

We have gone from a classical style to a unit study approach, to computer based learning...and are now back to more of a classical style..with other ideas thrown in. You have to find what works for your family....

For us, chores come first. Then breakfast. Then school. School is life...the book work is definitely an important part of education, but it's only part. If they can pass all the tests, but not know how to take care of what needs tending, I don't feel they have a complete education.

Teaching with babies and toddlers. Again..this is life. And siblings are a part of life. They are not a nuisance, they are not in the way. When they are babies, life revolves around their needs. As they grow older, they see the fun of school and want to be involved. So, we involve them as much as possible. Don't use the tv as a babysitter (anytime! But, especially during school time!).

Multiple ages...this year, I am finding it to be a new challenge...as all four of our children are now in schooling. Rebecca is in 9th grade, Thomas in 7th, Natalie in 3rd and Mary doing Kindergarten. I have found so far that it helps to have them all on the same subject. That's more for me than for them! That way, my brain is thinking of math, all at the same time...rather than one doing math, one Bible, one English and one phonics.

Just don't be tied to a schedule....unless that's what saves your sanity. If you finish your years of education and your children don't look back with pleasant memories, you have not given them a good picture of learning. Take time to make memories...