January 20, 2014

5 Days of Homeschooling Essentials: Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Homeschooling Essentials...You might automatically think that these would be the same items a teacher of public school would use in her classroom, right? Hmmm, that IS a logical assumption, but is it accurate? This week several members of the Schoohouse Review Crew and I are going to share what we each believe are the must-haves in our own homeschooling environment! I think you might be surprised at what some of them are--though I do believe coffee made the list at least 10 times!! 
5 Days of Homeschooling Essentials

So what do I consider as the essentials of homeschooling? Paper? Pens? Pencils? Well sure. But to me those are like the obvious things and I really don't expect you to keep reading as I wax eloquently on the sheer quantity of paper we go through in any given month! LOL!

So I thought about things that might not be so obvious, but are still integral pieces of my homeschooling "supply" cabinet...and only two of my essentials are physical objects! Who says it has to be something I can touch and/or be consumed to be an essential?? Today I am going to talk about one of the intangible homeschool essentials...
homeschooling essential love


#1 Love
I love my children. I seek out the best I can provide for them and make it happen if at all possible. Therefore, I homeschool because I LOVE them. 

My husband and I knew that in our love for them we couldn't put them into public school. The things we hold high and value are things that the public school scenario can't really provide...most importantly a faith based education. 

So why is LOVE a homeschooling essential?
Because love is what makes our homeschool experience work.

It's because I love them that I try to provide the boys the best curriculum I can afford. 
It's because I love them that I am willing to throw out things that don't work. 
It's because I love them that I have to keep their noses to the grindstone on subjects they don't really like but need to do anyway. 
It's because I love them that every now and then, when tempers flare and eyes go crossed, that we close the books and go outside and just play.
It's because I love them that I willingly let my kitchen get destroyed with science projects and experiments.
It's because I love them that I drive two hours just so they can have a field trip with other homeschooled friends.
It's because I love them that on days when I'm at my wits end I get on my knees and pray for more "wits"...then get up, turn music on, and make them dance with me.

Do I need to go on?

Without love, our homeschool would fall apart.
It's as simple as that.


homeschool essential love

Love is my first homeschooling essential...but what might some other homeschooling mom's choose as their first essential? To find out, head on over to our anchor post to see the full list of participants...or if the thought of 80+ blogs is overwhelming...here is a great group of nine to get started with!


Make sure you get entered in our giveaway for this week--we've got a iPad mini up for grabs which is a great prize and a homeschooling essential for many! You can get entered to win, and because I am one of the co-hosts for the giveaway all of my Facebook fans and email subscribers get free entries (one for each!)! Deadline to enter is midnight January 28th, so don't wait!

See you back here tomorrow as we investigate the next item on my homeschooling essential list...I'll give you a clue--it rhymes with "Exterminator"! (giggle)
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16 comments:

Laura O in AK said...

I love that you focused on how love is essential to homeschooling. That's something I often share with those considering homeschooling or feeling frustrated in the process.... no other teacher will ever love your child and have their best interests as their own parents will.

Unknown said...

Oh this is so true...and loving being home with my boys is one of the reasons we homeschool in the first place.

Lisa M. (aka. Lisa @ Farm Fresh) said...

It's something that I have to remind myself of because sometimes I get overwhelmed and forget this basic essential!

Lisa M. (aka. Lisa @ Farm Fresh) said...

Absolutely!

Michelle Gibson said...

When I think of love in the context of homeschooling, I have to remind myself that "love is patient!" :) So much love is required, I agree! Excellent topic!

Lisa M. (aka. Lisa @ Farm Fresh) said...

Yes it is. And that is SO hard to remember!

Unknown said...

This is so true. Books and resources aside, without love we are not truly sowing into our children's heart the most important thing. Great post Lisa.

Lisa M. (aka. Lisa @ Farm Fresh) said...

Thank you, Victoria!

Gena at ichoosejoy.org said...

Beautiful "essential" for homeschooling. And so true!

Jenn@Teaching Two Stinkers said...

Great post! Love is definitely not one of those "obvious" essentials, but it should be! Great reminder :)

Lisa M. (aka. Lisa @ Farm Fresh) said...

Thank you!

Lisa M. (aka. Lisa @ Farm Fresh) said...

It's not. Which is why we sometimes have to remind myself of it's importance!

DeliveringGrace said...

Very true-a real essential!

The girl who painted trees said...

You are so right. It stares us in the face unseen, but love is at the core of every decision we ever make for our kids, including in homeschooling. Interestingly, I have a draft for the series on joy, but the underlying theme of my post was love:)

Lisa M. (aka. Lisa @ Farm Fresh) said...

Love and Joy seem to go hand in hand! :)

Anonymous said...

Love is certainly a necessity. One that I think is a given but not always thought about, if that makes sense. "If I have not love, then I only am a clanging cymbal." Important but not always remembered. Thanks for focusing on it.