Thoughts on Homeschool Advice
I don’t know about you, but I’m overwhelmed by the amount of homeschool advice out there. Even as a mom who’s been homeschooling five kids for 13+ years. The internet is loud with opinions, and homeschool moms are quick to give you their thoughts on which curriculum you should or shouldn’t use. Usually, it all comes from a well-intentioned place, but how do we navigate all the homeschool advice? And how do we know which advice to take?
Here’s what got me thinking about all this…
Recently, the YouTube algorithm started feeding me videos from a homeschool channel that’s growing quickly, based on this mom sharing extremely strong opinions about what other homeschool moms are doing wrong. And a lot of things that I am personally doing in my homeschool are on her “wrong” list.
Every time one of her videos pops up, I start to watch it, and then end up angry.
Why should another mom tell me that my way of homeschooling is wrong, just because she found something different that worked for her family?
There are some things that do have a right or wrong when it comes to child development. For example, children learn best through play and hands-on experiences. Young kids need to move their bodies, not sit in desks all day. Excessive screentime is harming our kids. Regular access to books gives kids a huge advantage in their education. These are research-backed facts, not just opinions.
But when it comes to choosing Charlotte Mason vs classical vs eclectic vs interest-led learning, or deciding what curriculum you want to use (or not use)… there truly isn’t a one-size fits all.
There will always be someone telling you that your way of homeschooling is wrong or their way is right or you could be doing it better.
There will always be something new and shiny, distracting you from what the Lord has called you to do in your own home.
But the reality is, home education is built on the fact that it is unique to each family and child. Two homeschools cannot possibly ever be the same.
Taking advice from a homeschool mom who’s been there-done-that is wise. It can cut your learning curve in half and remove some decision fatigue (because homeschooling requires you to make a lot of decisions!).
A mom who just started homeschooling her five-year-old might tell you that she found the “best curriculum ever” – and maybe she did! But the mom who has walked through multiple seasons of homeschooling has much more experience in navigating the challenges of homeschooling and usually isn’t distracted by all the bright and shiny objects that come along in the homeschool world.
But you can’t take all the advice you see on social media, whether it’s from an experienced mom or a newbie.
Because your family is unique. Your family dynamics, your kids’ needs – these have to be a huge part of your homeschool decisions!
Your homeschool should be based around your family: your beliefs, priorities, and values. Your unique family make-up and rhythms. The ways that your family loves to learn. And all the things that don’t work for your family need to be kept in mind too!
If you try to build your homeschool around a curriculum, another family’s values, or the wrong priorities, you’ll end up overwhelmed and feeling like homeschool is a burden instead of a blessing.
Take all homeschool advice with a grain of salt – try it on for size, and then throw away what doesn’t work for your unique family, only keeping what fits.
If you talk to the mom who says how much her family loved online schooling, but your family values a low-screen life, taking her advice wouldn’t work for you.
If you listen to the mom online who says that the only way for kids to thrive is with a strict schedule and a rigorous academic pace, you might start to believe that you’re doing something wrong with your more relaxed approach to life and learning.
An experienced mom who loves the classical method of education might have great advice, but if you don’t love the classical methods, it’s not great advice for you.
Listen to the handful of homeschool moms (in person or online) that homeschool in a way that resonates with you. Don’t stress about the ones that are doing things differently or telling you that what you’re doing is wrong. Instead, dock in with the ones that align with how you homeschool – or how you want to homeschool.
We can each share our opinions, thoughts, and experiences… and even our research-backed arguments for best practices. But in the end, the right way of homeschooling my family may be completely wrong for yours.
So remember that as you scroll on social media, search for reviews on products, or ask advice from your local homeschool group. The advice might not be as helpful as you want it to be, because it might not fit your family.
If the moms in your real-life circle aren’t helping you to homeschool from a place of peace and confidence, stop asking them for homeschool advice. You don’t have to have a community filled with moms who homeschool exactly the same way you do, you just need to know when to say “thanks, but no thanks” to their advice.
Make your decisions without the constant pressure of new ideas, new curriculum, and new thoughts. (Yes, even mine!) Pray and ask the Lord to give you discernment and wisdom, then trust that He will!
And when the internet gets loud and noisy, turn it off.
Interested in my own personal homeschool recommendations?
If the way I homeschool resonates with you, check these out:
