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!!
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...
#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.
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!
Laura @ Day by Day in Our World
Julie @ Nurturing Learning
DaLynn @ For the Display of His Splendor
Lori @ At Home: where life happens
Nicole @ Journey to Excellence
Adriana @ Homeschool Ways
Brandy @ Kingdom Academy Homeschool
Meg @ Adventures with Jude
Sarah @ Delivering Grace
Julie @ Nurturing Learning
DaLynn @ For the Display of His Splendor
Lori @ At Home: where life happens
Nicole @ Journey to Excellence
Adriana @ Homeschool Ways
Brandy @ Kingdom Academy Homeschool
Meg @ Adventures with Jude
Sarah @ Delivering Grace
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)
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.
ReplyDeleteIt's something that I have to remind myself of because sometimes I get overwhelmed and forget this basic essential!
DeleteOh this is so true...and loving being home with my boys is one of the reasons we homeschool in the first place.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!
DeleteWhen 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!
ReplyDeleteYes it is. And that is SO hard to remember!
DeleteThis 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.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Victoria!
DeleteBeautiful "essential" for homeschooling. And so true!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteGreat post! Love is definitely not one of those "obvious" essentials, but it should be! Great reminder :)
ReplyDeleteIt's not. Which is why we sometimes have to remind myself of it's importance!
DeleteVery true-a real essential!
ReplyDeleteYou 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:)
ReplyDeleteLove and Joy seem to go hand in hand! :)
DeleteLove 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.
ReplyDelete