Homeschool Goals I Did NOT Accomplish
Every year, there are things I want to do in our homeschool that just end up not getting done. Now that I’m on the home stretch of my fifth year of homeschooling, I’ve learned to be okay with not getting everything done — but I do try to figure out why it didn’t get done, so that I can decide whether or not it’s worth revisiting next year.
What didn’t get done…
Artist appreciation — I thought I had this covered, because our Winter Promise curriculum came with an easy and fairly Charlotte Mason-ish artist study that even went along with our American history studies. But the pictures were mostly of war scenes, and really not very interesting. At least, not to us girls. We did it a month or so, and then I decided to let it drop; if my goal is for my kids to learn to appreciate art, I feel like I ought to at least start with something they actually find somewhat interesting and enjoyable before moving onto other styles.
Bible notebooks — I did this with Kathryn this year, but the whole idea behind it was to dig more deeply into our daily Bible reading, and then give her time to make a Bible Notebook page about the passage we read and the things we learned. Occasionally we did have some good discussions, but the notebook pages usually took way too much prodding. Since both girls do their own personal devotions each day, and Kathryn has also been doing a Christian character trait study each week, I’ve just recently decided to drop this. I have plans for something different next year.
Composer study
— This subject just kept getting put on the back-burner for other things. Eventually, I just decided to wait til next year and start it back up with both girls then. We did go to a couple of Brandon’s concerts at the University; that counts for something!
Weekly nature studies — These were very sporadic this year, and that’s my fault for A) not sticking to a schedule and B) not helping my girls stick to a schedule. I hope to do more nature studies during the rest of this school year, sneak in a few this summer, and make it a regular habit next year!
I have chosen to home educate my children for many reasons, but the biggest reasons don’t have anything to do with whether or not we do cool projects, if they ever learn anything about art or classical music, or even if they can read or do simple math! Homeschooling my kids is primarily about my relationship with them, and their relationship with Christ. Everything else is secondary. Yes, I will work on incorporating many of these good things into our homeschool, but I won’t fret too much over whether or not I get it done, as long as the first things remain the first things.
Wife, mom, J-ma. Introvert who enjoys good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand – unless it’s lost yet again in the microwave. Read more »
You are exactly right about your main goal! And we could really stress ourselves out if we dwelt on the things we didn’t get to in our homeschooling journeys.
Thank you for reminding me of the reasons behind homeschooling. I need those little reminders of the truth.
Winter Promise — I just got their catalog and look at it every year and wonder. Do you love it? Would you recommend it? I’m so curious!
Blessings,
Rachel
Well…I will have to thank Barb for her mention to you re: my blog, but more so than that, I’m thankful because now I have found yours. 🙂 I am enjoying your blog sooo much. I do understand, sometimes I get to the end of the week and think: What Happened? I had all these plans? I too was hoping to bring more art appreciation. I saw some curriculum on http://homegrownandbeeyoutiful.blogspot.com/ that was good for our level (K), maybe they have something for your level too? I agree with you, i think the time spent and nurturing is far more… Read more »
Jamie – I love LOVE this post! How often we get focused on curriculum and being the smartest Jeopardy contestant rather than a relationship with Jesus and those character qualities that are so much more important than being able to name the presidents in order!
thank you for your honesty – it is refreshing!
Whew! It’s truly the main reason for homeschooling – “at the end of the day when the dishes are put away and the children are tucked in bed – truly what matters is each child’s relationship with the Lord. And folks, the time is short.” I try to remind myself of the few years that Moses’ mother had with him before he left to go off to Pharoah’s palace – she wanted to do all she could to teach him about the Lord! Thank you for this reminder Jamie, as we are coming off a couple weeks worth of big… Read more »
I love this post because I can relate! So many things are not done in our Homeschool, but I guess we are putting the most important things first, like you said.
This post was refreshing! Thank you for reminding me of what is primary …
Oh I so enjoyed this….I am finishing up my 22 year of home schooling and the saying in our house is that we never got finished. I have four that have graduated from home school and sometimes I wonder and then I look at your bottom comment and say, yes we did complete what I had intended. They all have wonderful relationships with each other, us and the Lord. Thanks for giving this long timer a good encouraging shot in the arm.
Absolutely!! The schoolwork is secondary.
Even though it’s not primary importance, I do think it’s valuable to list your academic goals and then look to see if you met them. Like you discovered, sometimes the goals can be set aside. I’m making a note to look back at my goals for the year later this spring.
But the overall goals are exactly as you state – the relationships come first.
Boy, I could write a similar list. I try not to beat myself up, too much, about it. We seem to do more nature hikes in the spring and summer. We go to art museums once in awhile. We listen to classical music in the background. I’d really like to do these things more formally. It’s just impossible to do everything I want. So, I do my best and hope they will not suffer too much.
Thanks for the visit to my blog! I keep hearing good things about your blog, and that was just the nudge I needed to finally get over here and have a look around. And what a great post. It’s given me a bunch to think about, which is pleasant: I love new thoughts to mull over.
Would you consider submitting this post to the Classical Homeschooling Carnival?
Great post, Jamie. Thanks for sharing this.
We don’t homeschool, but I love these ideas. Maybe I’ll take one for the summer…You are so right. It is about relationship building. And we are all often so tired at the end of our days and activities — that part suffers. Nothing makes a child flower like giving them your full attention. Good luck.
Well said : )
I’m a more than a little slack on the composer studies I had planned! Hmmm…and the artist studies I had planned… I’m no better than the public schools…art and music are the first to go! haha.
Over the years I learned 1)there’s always summer and 2) there’s always the carschooling.
LOVE your quote. “Homeschooling my kids is primarily about my relationship with them, and their relationship with Christ. Everything else is secondary.” This is so true!
Thanks for reminding me that even though we put subjects on the back-burner, my relationships with each other and God are more important. With 4 high school teenagers, I’m already over-stressed trying to make sure everything is in order for college transcripts, resumes, etc. ~ Ellen
We have let a lot of things slide. And I’m okay with it. Sometimes just surviving is enough.
Great post! I’m going to check out your adoption button and posts and see about adding your button to my sidebar. My sons, Kekoa, and Happy Camper, are adopted. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Excellent post, Jamie! It is definitely true that you need to remember the important things about why you homeschool. It seems that many of the things you don’t get to are the ones that we don’t seem to get to either. What’s up with that?
Thanks for posting this! This is the end of my 6th year and I too have finally come to a place where I can say “It’s ok that I didn’t finish EVERYTHING”. It’s so hard when you are homeschooling to want to teach your kids so much and then get overwhelmed when their is too much on your plate. I have come to a place where lofty ideas are good only if I don’t get too upset if we don’t get everything done 🙂
I was just reflecting the other day on our first year homeschooling. I had all these plans and some just didn’t get done. Maybe I got a little too excited and planned too much. This was a good reminder of what really matters and that I’m not the only one. Glad to have found your blog!
“Homeschooling my kids is primarily about my relationship with them, and their relationship with Christ. Everything else is secondary. Yes, I will work on incorporating many of these good things into our homeschool, but I won’t fret too much over whether or not I get it done, as long as the first things remain the first things.” AWESOME perspective! I love that you can look back at these things and not fret over them. I know sometimes it is so tempting to “freak out” over the things that haven’t been done, but once you step back and look at WHY… Read more »
I am nearing the end of my first year of homeschool and we were just “surviving”. We just moved to a new country as missionaries and honestly, most days, we are just so tired. They are 6 years old but one is really not even ready for kindergarten (long story) so I did the phonics, one began reading and math. I started out being a fun Mommy with crafts, history and fun songs that came with my curriculum, Heart of Dakota. I have felt so terrible about our first year together doing homeschool. I had such grand ideas and dreams… Read more »
Love this! What a great reminder. Each year we homeschool I learn just a wee bit more about being flexible and letting go…
Yes, everything else is most definitely secondary.
Hi Jamie, the more I keep reading on your blog, the more I am reproved. I have so many things I want to accomplish before the end of our school year that I know is not going to get done. Thanks for the reminder of what comes first.
Yes, I will work on incorporating many of these good things into our homeschool, but I won’t fret too much over whether or not I get it done, as long as the first things remain the first things.
Thank you for this post! I tend to focus hard on what wasn’t accomplished instead of praising God for all the things that were. My kids have hearts passionate for God and intent on serving others…even if they can’t list a single piece by Mendlessohn 🙂
Oh, I can really relate – I also wrote a post – Confessions – I didn’t do it all Surely we should realize that we never can do it all!
Your reasons do not demonstrate any real neglect, but rather a focus on other areas.
I keep reaching higher and deeper, (especially trying to implement a Charlotte Mason education) and find there is always so much more we could add …
oh well, at least we have a few more years to keep trying!
Homeschooling is something my husband and I have talked about off and on since we started having children (we have a 5 and almost-4 yo, and an 8 month old), and especially since the oldest will be starting kindergarten next year. He has been in preschool the past couple of years, getting help with some speech and then occupational therapy. We still haven’t made a decision for or against. I feel that more information gathering and praying is in order. Sometimes it is so hard to know what to do that will be the best thing for your children, but… Read more »
Thank you for this! (and thanks for visiting my blog)
I always feel such . . . failure . . when I do not do what I had planned and I have to consciously take a step back and look at the wonderful unplanned things that we did do. But this year- I *vow* we are doing a weekly report on the states. I vow, I say! Well, you know, unless something comes up like pottery lessons or free swimming lessons or something more fun. *grin*
haha. Hi Jamie, the more I keep reading on your blog, the more I am reproved. Sometimes just surviving is enough. We just moved to a new country as missionaries and honestly, most days, we are just so tired.