So you've heard about homeschooling, seen the cute posts on social media, and long for something more for your family. You've thought, Moms on Instagram can do it, so why can't I? Homeschooling can seem like the most daunting thing, but in reality there are millions of families doing it, so you are right to think that you can do it too. But where do you even start?! What all do you even need to know to be able to homeschool? I was where you are now and was overwhelmed by spending hours researching what seemed to me like a foreign language. However, I was blessed with moms already doing it that gave up their time to teach me, often times giving me their old curriculum for free. So my first bit of advice is to find as many homeschoolers as you can who can show you what their homeschooling looks like. If you don't have that as an option or if you don't want to bother others (trust me they love any chance to talk about homeschooling so you won't be bugging them), here is everything you need to know to homeschool. First, start by going to the Home School Legal Defense Association's website, HSLDA.org There you will hover over the legal button at the top and click on state homeschool laws . Click on your state, then on view complete details , and follow all of their guidelines for homeschooling. You can contact HSLDA for help if you need it, but homeschooling is convoluted and there is so much you will need help with, so if you want a one and done course that helps you set everything up, then go to thefreefamilymovement.com It's a quick and easy course that takes you through everything you need to know. By the end of it you will have set up your homeschool unique to your family. It takes you through a framework that has successfully helped hundreds of families begin homeschooling and has helped families who were struggling to homeschool. A complete course is the way to go, but if you like to do things the hard way, keep reading. After you find your state homeschool guidelines at HSLDA.org , you need to change your mindset. Yes, you read that right, your mindset. You've been programmed to think education looks a certain way, but if you try to implement that at home, you and your children will be miserable. To change your mindset, you need to learn more about education. Start by studying the history of it. Go back to ancient times. Then research how our current school models began and why. What did families do before compulsory education was mandated? As your mindset changes, you should start to realize how you need to take authority over your child's education, since up to this point you have mostly given up that authority to the "professionals". Once you can take authority over your child's education then you can move onto vision planning. You need a strong WHY to do anything in life. Without this crucial step, you are likely to revert back to old ways once the going get's tough. A strong purpose not only is your foundational support, but also is your north star guiding you when you have a hard time seeing through the fog. What do you imagine for your family? Where do you want to see your family 10 years from now? What gifts and talents make up your family? How do you need to raise your children so your grandchildren can flourish? Create a vision and mission statement unique to your family. Now that you have your foundation, you can start building a homeschool program unique to your family. Reference your goals and vision statement- Are you going to resource out at all for homeschooling? Most homeschoolers do, but to what extent really varies. The more you resource out, the less you are homeschooling. However, few homeschool solely at home by themselves. Many are involved in coops, meet-ups, or other homeschool programs. Depending on your state, there might be charter schools that offer hybrid programs. Check out your community for local options. You can also check on the HSLDA website. Your local library might even have some classes. Checking out homeschool groups on social media is where you will probably find other homeschoolers in your area, coops, and teachers offering classes to the homeschool community. Finding a homeschool community that fits your family first will help you figure out what you will teach at home and what curriculum you will need. Building upon whatever resources you've already found and have decided to use, you can now search for curriculum. You might want to check out the different homeschool philosophies and models to help you better understand curriculum as most curriculum will follow one philosophy or another. In the homeschool community, Classical Education is very popular, as well as Charlotte Mason's teachings. There are whole communities that implement Charlotte Mason's ways. You can read her books to find out more. Cathy Duffy's Homeschool Reviews is a website where you can search reviews on different homeschool curriculum. There are websites that offer free homeschool curriculum online such as https://allinonehomeschool.com/ and https://www.amblesideonline.org/ Once you have a plan for each subject- math, science, language arts, history, and electives- you will create some sort of routine that works best for your child and you. If you have multiple children, you might want to teach some subjects, like history, together. Or you can teach a subject, such as math, but have each child in a different place per their level, as all subjects tend to build on themselves. Once you figure out what you will be teaching and know when each child will need your attention, you can put together a schedule or routine that works for everyone. Setting clear expectations with the routine is key for your children to understand their part. Getting them to participate and listen to you will be another area you will need to conquer. If you don't have leadership skills already, you will need to train yourself on the art of parenting (because parenting is leading by serving). If you're asking yourself why you would need to do that when you have already been parenting- if you can't get them to listen to you, have you really been though? Ouch. I know... A plus to all of this parenting and training, that is essential to homeschooling successfully, is that you can implement chores and your house will be cleaner (not to mention your children will feel like they provide value and have purpose). I don't know a homeschool family who doesn't start their morning routine with chores. I mean what mom can do it all alone, right? I even had my older kids teach my younger kids to read. They felt accomplished and I didn't carry the load all by myself. Brilliant what homeschooling allows for- the family to be what it was created to be- a team. Once you have set up a program unique to your family, I recommend keeping records or documentation of curriculum along with saving work samples. While it will be nice to look back on your child's work later, you should be doing this with the mindset that if you had to prove yourself legal and legit in a court of law, you could... Remember, the law rules the land. And if it weren't for HSLDA fighting for homeschoolers across our country, we might have the freedom to homeschool today. If you want to support your continued freedom and get free legal support from them, then become a member. Membership is cheap and worth it. If you are homeschooling in high school, you will need to create and keep their transcript. HSLDA has free resources for transcript creation. You will also need to plan ahead and work backwards from your goals. If they want to go to college, they will need to know the admission requirements for that particular one as each school is different. What tests are they required to take? What courses? Community Colleges usually offer dual enrollment programs that are popular with homeschoolers where students can get high school credit and college credit at the same time. There are endless possibilities when it comes to homeschooling and resources too numerous to keep track of. And now with the internet, every student has the world at their fingertips. So yeah, you can homeschool... If you are still scratching your head and want a quick and easy course where you will set up your homeschool program and be able to start homeschooling today, then go to The FREE FAMILY Movement Written by Jennifer Labelle, not using AI

Homeschooling can often feel like starting a thrilling journey into the unknown. Each day presents its own mix of challenges and opportunities, allowing parents to connect with their children in ways that traditional schooling often misses. While the thought of unstructured or unplanned school days may create anxiety for some, leaning into it can lead to unforgettable experiences, exciting educational escapades, and a deep bond between parent and child. Let’s explore how embracing chaos can turn your homeschooling adventure into something truly remarkable! The Beauty of Flexibility One of the most exciting aspects of homeschooling is the freedom it brings. Unlike standard classrooms with rigid schedules, homeschooling allows parents to customize lessons based on their children's interests and needs. When we welcome chaos, unexpected learning experiences emerge. For instance, if your child starts asking questions about dinosaurs, consider a day trip to a natural history museum instead of sticking to the regular academic schedule. Research shows that experiential learning boosts retention rates by up to 75%. Imagine the conversations and joy that come from exploring real fossils together! By embracing this flexibility, you turn learning into a vibrant experience rather than a strict, fixed plan. Learning Through Play The unruly nature of homeschooling also sparks creativity, particularly through play. Traditional education often overlooks the significance of play in learning. However, it is essential for development. Let your children bake cookies to understand fractions or build a model city to talk about urban planning! Studies indicate that children who engage in hands-on learning remember facts up to three times longer than if they learned them from textbooks. Messy lessons can lead to the most valuable educational moments, all wrapped in laughter and fun. Embracing chaos means understanding that some lessons will be messy — and that’s perfectly acceptable! Connection Over Competition In many traditional schools, competition can overshadow creativity and collaboration. Homeschooling breaks this mold, allowing families to strengthen their relationships in profound ways. Participating in messy art projects or science experiments together fosters teamwork and camaraderie. For example, a family art day where everyone creates a piece can result in not only creative expression but also lasting memories. And without the pressure of competition, children learn the importance of supporting one another. Research suggests that children who see their parents model teamwork and resilience have a 40% higher chance of developing these skills themselves. Nature as a Classroom Nature provides a rich source of educational experiences that fit seamlessly into your homeschooling journey. Activities such as nature walks, scavenger hunts, or gardening can all serve as engaging lessons. When children explore outdoors, they learn about ecosystems, biology, and even weather patterns. For instance, conducting a butterfly garden project can teach them about lifecycles while also instilling a love for nature. Plus, the unpredictability of the outdoors can lead to delightful surprises—like discovering a rare bird or an interesting plant species. Integrating nature into your homeschooling not only keeps your children active but also allows them to satisfy their curiosity about the world around them. Encouraging Independence Unstructured learning can also cultivate independence in your learners. By letting them lead their projects or create their own study schedules, you empower them to take control of their education. Studies show that children who engage in self-directed learning demonstrate greater motivation and achievement. For instance, if your child decides to research and create a presentation on space exploration, they’ll develop critical thinking skills and a sense of responsibility for their learning. As they grow more independent, you may find that they take more initiative and even surprise you with their creativity! Celebrating Mistakes In traditional classrooms, making mistakes can be disheartening. But in a homeschooling environment that embraces flexibility, errors become valuable teaching moments. When experiments don’t go according to plan, or a lesson doesn’t stick, celebrate these moments! Discussing what went wrong often leads to deeper understanding and valuable life lessons. Research indicates that fostering a growth mindset helps children to develop resilience and increases their chances of lifelong success. Teach your kids that missteps are part of the learning journey; they are stepping stones rather than stop signs. Embracing the Chaos of Homeschooling Welcoming the unknown in your homeschooling journey is about far more than just getting through the day; it’s about thriving in a unique, unpredictable environment. With each twist and turn, new lessons arise that challenge conventional education. And ultimately you end up taking control of the chaos by making the unplanned work for you, rather than you work for it. So, dive fearlessly into the joyful mess of homeschooling! Embrace flexibility, learn through play, encourage independence, and celebrate the unpredictable. The exciting adventures waiting just around the corner are sure to create unforgettable memories and instill a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. As you navigate this wild wonder of homeschooling, you'll find creativity, collaboration, and joy blossoming within your family dynamic! *Created in part with AI

In recent years, homeschooling has emerged as a popular educational choice for families around the globe. While it often seems like a positive alternative, it also brings unique challenges that can test both parents and students. Embracing these homeschool challenges can turn difficult situations into valuable learning experiences, equipping students to face future obstacles with confidence. As we journey through the challenges of homeschooling, it's vital to recognize how they can provide opportunities to strengthen resilience. This post will explore various difficulties encountered during homeschooling and illustrate how they contribute to a resilient mindset. Understanding the Homeschooling Landscape Homeschooling represents a major shift from traditional classroom settings to home environments. Parents typically take on the roles of both instructors and caretakers, leading to diverse challenges such as curriculum planning, time management, and balancing academic responsibilities with everyday life. Understanding this landscape is key. Acknowledging that challenges are a normal aspect of homeschooling can help normalize feelings of uncertainty or frustration. By embracing this perspective, both parents and students can nurture a mindset that thrives in adversity. Embracing Flexibility Flexibility is a crucial aspect of homeschooling. Rigid schedules may become impractical, as personal obligations and unexpected events can occur at any time. A study by the National Center for Education Statistics shows that 25% of homeschooling parents emphasize the importance of adaptability in their approach to learning. By promoting flexibility, families can adjust to changes without becoming overwhelmed. When students encounter unforeseen setbacks, encourage them to brainstorm solutions together. This collaborative problem-solving not only builds resilience but also hones essential skills they will use throughout life. Learning from Failure Failure is an essential part of learning, yet it can be daunting in a homeschooling context. However, when students learn to view failures as growth opportunities rather than setbacks, their mindsets can shift dramatically. Encourage students to approach mistakes with curiosity. For example, if a science project yields unexpected results, invite them to analyze what went wrong and how they can improve next time. Celebrating these learning moments teaches students that resilience is rooted in persistence and a commitment to growth. Open book on a table suggesting a learning environment Setting Realistic Goals In traditional schooling, students typically receive guidance in setting academic objectives. Homeschooling often shifts this responsibility to parents and students themselves, which can lead to stress without proper support. Aiming for clear and attainable goals can empower students and reduce overwhelm. By working together to create achievable goals, students learn to break larger tasks into manageable steps. For example, instead of simply setting a goal to complete a book report, they might divide it into sections: outlining, drafting, and revising. Regularly revisiting these goals fosters a sense of accomplishment, reinforcing their resilience through consistent progress. Cultivating a Supportive Environment Homeschooling does not have to be a lonely journey. Building a support network can relieve challenges and bolster motivation. Engaging with other homeschooling families, whether in personal meetups or online groups, provides an avenue for sharing resources, strategies, and encouragement. Creating a community enhances resilience as students witness shared struggles and triumphs. Encouraging interaction between students can inspire friendships and collaborative learning experiences, greatly boosting their emotional and social resilience. Encouraging Self-Reflection Self-reflection is vital for personal growth and resilience. Inviting students to regularly evaluate their experiences deepens their understanding of both challenges and successes. Techniques such as journaling or discussing their experiences can be effective. Prompts could include questions like “What was the most challenging moment this week?” or “How did I overcome a specific obstacle?” These practices help students connect their identity to their ability to handle difficulties, fostering a positive self-image. Fostering Independence and Responsibility One of the significant benefits of homeschooling is the chance to cultivate independence and responsibility from an early age. Allowing students to take charge of their learning paths prepares them for adulthood. Encourage them to set their study schedules or select subjects that interest them. Perhaps they can engage in community service projects, fostering learning through real-world experiences. This empowerment not only nurtures resilience but also equips them with skills they can apply throughout their lives. Celebrating Small Wins During homeschooling, it can be easy for both students and parents to focus on what still needs to be accomplished rather than what has already been achieved. Celebrating small victories, like mastering a new skill or finishing a challenging project, can significantly boost morale. Recognizing these achievements builds an environment where students feel valued and motivated. It reinforces the idea that resilience is cultivated not just through overcoming large obstacles, but through consistent effort and acknowledgment of everyday progress. Balancing Academics and Well-being Education is not just about academics; emotional well-being is equally critical in a homeschooling setting. Fostering a balanced approach to education involves encouraging family activities, engaging in creative projects, and allowing time to relax. These elements help create a well-rounded learning experience. Allowing students to decompress from rigorous academic moments strengthens their mental resilience, equipping them with the energy to tackle future challenges. Embracing Homeschooling Challenges Navigating the challenges of homeschooling can be an enriching experience for students and parents alike. By fostering resilience, families can turn obstacles into valuable learning opportunities, empowering their children to face future challenges with confidence and flexibility. By embracing flexibility, learning from failures, and promoting independence, the homeschooling journey transforms into a pathway for building lasting resilience. As students grow, they will carry these essential skills into adulthood, ready to face life’s uncertainties. Adapting to the hurdles of homeschooling becomes more than a task; it becomes a life lesson in resilience that significantly shapes their futures. *Created with AI

You might be wanting to homeschool but have no idea how you even do it. Well you might not like this answer, but there is no right way to homeschool. How families homeschool varies between families and if you think there must be one right way to do it, then you'd be wrong. It's easy to believe there is one right way, but that comes from the assumption you've already been making by buying into the public school model- one size fits all. The true power in homeschooling lies behind the fact that you get to create it to be whatever you want it to be. You get to choose what works best for your family. It's hard to choose though when you have not been modeled other ways to "school". So this is where you will have to do the work- research, ask around, and start to critically think what might be best for your kids. But I'll give you some examples to get your juices flowing. To start, let's look back in history. Ancient wisdom can speak volumes in our modern society. We tend to think our modern ways are the best, the most improved, we got it right while all of history got it wrong. But is that true? How did families manage before public schools? Well, the whole construct of society was different. Before the Industrial Revolution, families had their own home economies. They didn't rely on institutions or corporations for their survival or needs. They relied on their family and the families around them. Thus you had strong families and strong local communities. Every member of the family worked their own land and in their own home and they traded with their neighbors. Kids were brought up alongside their parents and relatives. Thus kids learned by their parents and relatives teaching and modeling to them. They received a lot of hands on experience this way and were taught what was most needed at that time for their area. Fast forward to today, most homes are retreats for consumption with little to no production coming out of them. The family today more closely resembles individuals seeking their own benefits outside of the home and coming together when the institutions fail them and they need to rely on each other. You teach your kids from birth already by modeling behavior and showing them how to do things. It's the same with "school". The best way for them to learn something is to be modeled it and then for them to practice it themselves. Yes, the best teachers in schools don't just talk at their students or give them worksheets, but they show them how to do the problem, how to think critically, how to form a hypothesis. Then they let them practice. Mastery is shown once they can teach others in the simplest and easiest to understand explanation. That might sound daunting to you because you don't think you can teach, let's say, math. Well then, why would you send your child to the same system that made you feel incompetent in math? The good news it that when you are teaching your child daily, you get to understand the material better and you'll never have to fret over not understanding their homework again. And when all else fails, resource out to an "expert". Yes, many homeschoolers resource out, especially in the high school years. Community colleges even have dual enrollment programs where your child can get high school and college credit for the same course (for free, too). So what do homeschools look like today? Some try to replicate school at home, some rely solely on online programs for all teaching, some teach through life experiences, some teach out in nature, some buy curriculums, some make their own curriculums, some hire tutors, some utilize educational programs such as learning centers and charter schools, some teach through reading books, some print worksheets off teacherspayteachers.com . You might find in your research that most of these examples prescribe to a particular methodology. There are different homeschool methods and models you can follow, but really just finding what works best for you is the way to go. Teaching through life experience is usually termed "unschooling". Nature schooling is using nature to teach the subjects. The Charlotte Mason way is a very popular one. Many homeschool curriculum are based off of it. A key principle of this method is learning through living stories. Many homeschool moms study Charlotte Mason in depth. Some homeschoolers like to utilize unit studies- meaning that they pick a topic such as bees and teach each subject around the fun topic of bees (you can see that this is usually only used when kids are younger). Most homeschoolers are eclectic in nature, meaning that they use many methods. The most common home educating looks something like this: Mom buys curriculum online based off of recommendations or CathyDuffyReviews.com. She enrolls her kids in a coop that meets once a week where they take one or two core subjects such as science and math and two electives such as art and P.E. Mom teaches them history and language arts at home using the curriculum she purchased. Usually after breakfast, they might do thirty minutes to one hour of history and thirty minutes to one hour of language arts each day, while also completing any homework they have from their coop classes.They might spend the rest of the day out in nature or doing whatever they want to do. It will be hard to determine what you want your homeschool to look like and why you want it that way since you have been modeled a completely different educational paradigm which tells you its way is the right way and best way to do it. If you came here seeking quick answers and are disappointed there isn't someone to tell you exactly what to do, just trust that your journey to discovering what works best for your family is way better than getting a quick answer to your problem right now. You can do this! Start by finding out your WHY. Once you have that, everything else will fall into place. And remember along your journey, to not fall into the comparison trap. Your family is different than other families. We need a world where everyone is not the same. We need your unique family. *Not created by AI

Whatever your child hears first, is usually what they accept as fact or truth. It is so important for them to hear life principles and important conversations from you first rather than from peers or adults who might not have the same values as you. If you are resourcing education out to someone else and your strategy is to correct at home any wrong teaching they learn, ask yourself why you would use this strategy and the probability of it being successful. Would you use this strategy in a battle? There is a battle for your child’s heart, soul, and mind. YOU as the parent are their first defense. How are you fighting for them? When your child can trust you to explain the world to them, then they won't feel blindsided learning from those outside the home first. They might think "if mom and dad aren't being open and honest with me, if they aren't taking the time of day to teach me what everyone else seems to know, then do they really care? I guess I have to look to others to find out about life and what I need to know." From our experience, having hard conversations with our kids around tough topics or things we really don't want to be talking about, has created this sense of confidence that our children have towards us. They trust that we will not lie to them, not tell them what to think, but present different view points and be honest with what we think or open about mistakes we've made that we learned from. Topics that were uncomfortable to us, were not uncomfortable to our children. And they exhibit this self assurance when they freely and gladly come to us to ask us more questions. They've brought stuff up to us that I would have never brought up to my parents and every time, we have the most pleasant conversation that enforces our trusting and healthy relationship, which I wish I could have had with my parents. They come to us completely trusting and never uncomfortable. We can tell they enjoy talking to us and that they rest in the fact that they have this confidence in us. It 's never too late to apologize to your kids for missing the mark and start having those uncomfortable conversations now. Remember, if you start early enough before someone else has had the conversation with them, then most likely you will be the only one who feels uncomfortable. They don't know what they don't know. You get to present the hard topics in a better way, a way that hopefully breaks the uncomfortableness once and for all. You might think hard topics aren't appropriate for young children. You definitely want to use your intuition in determining what, when, and how to talk to your kids, but the key is to teach them the topic before someone else does, and that usually means at a young age these days because of the early exposure they get from the world. Young children are smarter than you think and you can give them the basic building blocks of a hard topic, and expound as they grow. But don't lie, you will lose their trust if you do and relationships are built on trust so if you don't have that, then you probably don't have the relationship you want with them. We started by using the correct names for body parts, by teaching basic safety with not allowing others to touch our bodies without permission. Then we emphasized how we treat others with that same respect and we don't touch or look at their private parts. In starting the porn conversation, it was as easy as saying we don't look at people's privates or at dishonoring pictures of people. If they were to see something like that on the internet then they were to come to us right away to tell us so we could figure out how to not let that happen again. To start the sex conversation, we emphasized the oneness of a man and woman being joined as one in marriage and then told them how their bodies get to join as one in a very intimate and pleasurable way as a physical manifestation of the spiritual joining. And it is through this act of intimacy and oneness that a baby is made. We used the correct anatomical terms and explained how the penis excretes semen to fertilize the egg in the wife's body up her vagina. The only ones uncomfortable were us. Our kids were amazed. Be truthful and honest, and most importantly share your story and other's stories that you know. It's through stories that we learn the most. Our kids love to hear our story and experiences as well. The more stories you can give them, the more they can analyze the different experiences people have had and learn from them. *Not created with AI

Just last week, on July 15th, the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, signed Assembly Bill 1955 allowing for schools to take authority away from parents in order to keep secrets with their children, all in the name of "safety". Just a healthy reminder for everyone... secrets that other adults keep with your children from you are usually sexual in nature and harmful to your child. That's why parents tell their children that they should never listen when an adult tells them to keep a secret from their parents. Well guess what, this bill's goal is to hide sexual identities of children from their parents. As with all other work Gavin Newsom is doing, this is just another step in his human trafficking movement. Just research what he has been up to as governor and you will see how he has made it easier for predators to harm your children and easier for your children to be preyed upon by predators. We are sliding down a slope that leads to our children being wards of the government. If we continue to allow our parental rights stripped from us, our children will end up being slaves to the government. We all know what happens in California, doesn't stay in California. If you believe you don't need to worry about it, when you wake up, it will be too late. Homeschooling is still legal in California, but eventually they will try to strip that freedom too. When will we realize that we don't need the government to save us? You can live life fully without relying on the government to educate your kids. Stop making excuses. Homeschool while you still can. And take the time to do your diligence as a citizen and keep abreast of what your chosen representatives are doing. Pay special attention to anything they do in the name of "safety". It's almost always to oppress you. And protect your children from these sick, perverted people who want to fill your child's head with lies about who they are so they can eventually sexualize them. You are their only protection. Don't forget who you are. By Jennifer Labelle Co-Founder of The FREE FAMILY Movement

Homeschooling is when your children are educated at home either part time or full time. Some public schools offer homeschooling as a part or full time option depending on what state you reside in. Those public schools usually are charter schools, however some non-charter public schools offer homeschooling through online learning for students who need to be home for special circumstances such as illness or social issues. Charter schools are non government run schools that are government funded. Some have a homeschool option depending on the state. However, most homeschoolers are homeschooled through private means depending on what the state permits. This means the parents are homeschooling their children apart from the government and are subsequently paying out of pocket for all costs related. Some consider true homeschooling to be done without government interference, by the parents only, with the children being home full time. Since homeschooling has become more popular and there are more options available than there used to be, homeschooling can look very different from family to family and state to state. Some families might employ a tutor to accomplish some or all of the home education. This could be the case with parents who both work full time, however there are cases of parents homeschooling while also working full time jobs. Others might utilize an enrichment program where their children attend in person and receive all of their instruction, completing the lessons independently at home on the days they do not attend in person. There are also private schools that offer homeschooling full or part time. There are many options out there, but homeschooling is essentially parents teaching their children or resourcing out for their children to be taught outside of one size fits all institutions. This is the key to why homeschoolers tend to outperform public school children. One size does not fit all and thus children who are homeschooled get a more tailored education where their gifts can be identified and nurtured, they get more one on one attention, and they have more time available to grow, develop, and pursue their curiosities. *This article was not written with AI

What is happening in your home today? What precedents are you setting? What principles are you teaching your children? How are you preparing your children for adulthood? How are you preparing them for their future in general? How are you fostering their gifts, challenging their strengths, strengthening their weaknesses and blindspots? As a parent, you have a lot of pull in shaping the future. If parents render this authority, they not only contribute to future strife in this world, but also lose out on the many blessings this authority and responsibility brings them. Nations are built upon families. The family is the most influential entity in shaping the world. Any complaints you may have regarding happenings in the world or your community, need to be contemplated through the question of “What does your home look like?” The change you want to see starts with you. It is only when we take authority over a situation that we take control over it. Playing the victim will not get you the results you want or fix the problems you complain about. What happens in your home today determines tomorrow. What are you doing today to make a better tomorrow? It all starts in the home… *This article was not written with AI

Are you homeschooling or wanting to homeschool but are worried your child won’t learn everything they need to? Many parents get hung up on what their child needs to learn. They have been told for so long that everyone needs to learn the same thing, that the government knows just what those things are, and that they will accidentally miss one of these things if they don’t send them to public school and it will put their child back in life. If that sounds silly, it’s because it is, but when it comes down to it, many parents legitimately have this fear. You worry your child won’t learn everything that they need to. But who determines what a child needs to learn? Is it the government? Are they the most ultimate power of wisdom and knowledge? Government is good at creating one size fits all systems because they have too many people to govern. That’s why originally the U.S. leaned on the states and local governments holding more power. Our founding fathers knew decisions needed to be made locally because people and lands are not all the same and cannot be governed as such. Asking the question of who determines what a child needs to learn is the first step. If you think that the government is a supremely higher power that has all the answers, then you neglect the fact that governments are made up of humans who are very much like you and I, imperfect. It was in asking this question and critically thinking about it that I realized that God gave my children to me and gave me the mandate to educate them when I rise, lie down, and walk by the way (Deuteronomy 6). But since I grew up in public school and was told my whole life that the “professionals” had all the answers, I questioned if I was “qualified”. How I was qualified to teach them the first few years of life but not the rest did not cross my mind at first. I was already conditioned to think that the government was the higher power. It was not until I questioned who the higher power was that I was able to begin my journey to find out what my child really needed to learn. God was Lord of my life, but I started to realize that I had not really lived my life that way. Once I realized that I should align myself with God’s Word and not what the world told me, I was able to throw away some bad thinking and start to think critically. What I realized was that God created us each so special. No two people have the same fingerprint! That was not by accident but by design. Each person in this world brings something a little different. God gave us each gifts and talents. He wants us to see that we need each other. Where we lack, another abounds. If I were to send my kids to a one size fits all education system, their unique gifts and talents wouldn't be fostered. If I gave up my God-given responsibility to educate my children to someone else who had a couple dozen other students to teach, then the uniqueness only I could impart to them would not occur. God gave them to me for a reason. I might not be perfect, but I am the one God wants to teach my kids. And you are the one who should teach yours too. Does that mean you can’t resource out and have other teachers? No, but it does me that their education is your responsibility and no one else's. So how do you know what to teach them? Well, you are the parent so YOU get to decide! What do you think your child should learn? What is important to you? What did you wish you had learned in school? No matter if you go to public school or homeschool, you will always feel like you didn’t learn everything. And that’s okay because learning never needs to end. In fact, if you think that once you graduate college, learning ends, then you rob yourself of future growth. One of the best things homeschooling provides is a love of life long learning. Homeschooled kids more often than not get the opportunity to pursue their curiosities. Lots of times sitting in a classroom and having to follow along with what everyone else is doing stifles a child’s curiosity and they can lose their love for learning. The great thing is that whatever they miss when they are young, they can learn later. They can also learn on their own time instead of falling behind others their age in a classroom setting. One on one education is always better education and no one gets left behind like they can in a large group. Also, no one will love your child more than you, even the best teachers. Should you teach your children what is being taught in public schools so your child doesn’t fall behind? Again, that’s up to you. What do you feel is really best for your child? Our society today is trying to strip parents of their authority over their children. They are using lies such as “parents aren’t as competent as the government”, and “what about parents who abuse their children?” If you are reading this and interested in finding out what is best for your child, then you probably aren’t abusing your child. Again, using one answer to solve a small percentage problem, isn’t what's best for the majority. And what I mean by that is we can’t give over our parental authority because there are some bad apple parents. Why can’t someone just tell me what to teach my child? If you really can’t decide what to teach your child, there are many resources out there to help you. You can choose any homeschool curriculum and they will have already laid out what your child should learn. But how do I know if what the curriculum teaches is enough? Well, you can research to see if there are any topics missed that you want covered and then you can find a curriculum on that topic. But how do I know if something is missed? If you believe the government has all the answers, then you can use your state’s standards or another country’s standards whose educational system is better. Or you can take a deep breath and trust that whatever you missed, they can always learn later when it comes up that they need it. Most likely, however, as you teach your child and take responsibility for their education, you will easily be able to identify areas where your child might need more instruction and areas where they really excel. Once you spend one on one time with your child and you start to gain understanding of their unique gifts and talents as well as their struggles, you will be able to help foster their gifts while also strengthening them in their weaknesses. What many will say your child needs to learn are these main subjects: math, language arts, science, history and possibly art, music, foreign language, and athletics. Others might find more importance in focusing on life skills like character, wealth building, and survival or homesteading. When figuring out what to teach your child, think about what will set them up for success in the future and don’t forget God’s mandate to teach them in everything you do all throughout your days and life. In fact, teaching is more modeling than it is lesson planning. You might think you can't teach because you imagine the teacher you had growing up. But teaching isn't standing in front of a blackboard, it's having your child come along side you to watch you as you model to them the things they need to learn. One on one mentorship has always proven to be the most successful form of learning. *This article was not written with AI