Two doors to homeschool success?
It seems like we are offered a constant stream of invitations to open promised doors to homeschool success.
• Buy this curriculum and your child will succeed.
• Use this method and your child will flourish.
• Follow these steps and your child will thrive.
• Try this resource and your child will excel.
Whether we're just starting the homeschooling adventure or we've been on the journey for years, we've all probably stood before many of these doors.
One of the beauties of home education is its uniquely individualized approach. There are doors that can and should be entered by one homeschooling family and yet, perhaps, not opened by another homeschooling family. Part of the home education adventure is discovering and discerning which doors are right for your particular family.
Even so, there are a few doors that lead to success for every homeschooling family. Here are two of them.
1. Relationship
Even as we are journeying on our own unique homeschool adventures, we have one thing in common with other homeschoolers. We all want our children:
• to become passionate about learning and discovering.
• to grow toward stable and mature adulthood.
• to sense that we are cheering them on in their homeschool adventures.
• to know that we love them and that we’re on this journey together as a team.
Before we try out the different doors to various curricula, methods, and resources, we should open the door to relationship.
This first door to homeschool success leads us to think about how to build into our homeschooling efforts the means to connect and bond with our children. It prompts us to create an atmosphere of family unity and teamwork in our pursuit of knowledge.
When our children look back on their childhood educational years, what will be most important?
Curricula? Methods? Resources?
Or will it be relationship?
2. Commitment
A second door to homeschool success is commitment. Without it, you're destined for failure.
Why did you sign up for this homeschooling adventure? What is the source of your inspiration and strength to continue the journey even when it’s difficult?
Each homeschooling parent might have different answers to these questions.
When we asked the leaders of Homeschool Iowa, their most often cited answer was "God."
It was He who called them to begin their homeschooling journeys. It is He who continues to be the source of inspiration and strength to finish the journey well.
What is your "why" for homeschooling?
If it is to serve as the basis for your commitment, it needs to be more than running away from negatives.
What is your vision and what are the reasons for your commitment toward making that a reality?
Doors to Homeschool Success
We encourage you to seek and find these two vital doors to homeschooling success.
Open them and walk through with confidence and hope!