Volume 3 - Edition 6 - March 2007
I am slowly going crazy…123456..SWITCH!! Crazy going slowly am I..654321 SWITCH!
by Ever feel like that could be your homeschool theme song? Well, you’ve probably heard the definition of insanity…doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. Let’s relate this to curriculum choices or homeschooling approaches/styles. Perhaps it really is time for a change.
So, what keeps us repeating actions/decisions over and over, knowing they’re not working? We wouldn’t be doing something over and over if we weren’t getting ‘rewarded’ somehow. After all, no one you know would, in her right mind, want to drive herself crazy, right? Unless there was a payoff. Mmmmmm…so, what’s the payoff?
Perhaps it’s comfort. The curriculum or style of homeschooling you know is comfortable to you. You’ve used it for so long, it must be right for you. It doesn’t scare you, it’s like an old sweater that’s been yours forever…except that it no longer keeps you warm because it’s threadbare, and besides, you’ve outgrown it (or it’s shrunk)..it really doesn’t fit anymore.
Maybe it’s fear of the unknown. Those nasty little ‘what-ifs’ loom large in your mind...What if the new program/curriculum doesn’t work for me or the children? What if the children hate it!? What if I waste my money- again?! What if we get farther behind (whatever that means!)?
Each year you have a new set of pupils in your homeschool. I’m not talking about new additions to the family, mind you, although that often happens, too! Each year your students are one year older. What worked for them or you last year may or may not work this year. As children grow older , their needs and preferences may change. Maybe they are ready for more independent work; perhaps they need more structure or less structure. Maybe they are tired of the ‘same old, same old’, and a new curriculum/program would invigorate them. On the other hand, perhaps they don’t need a major change- just a bit of tweaking here and there.
So, what to do? If the new school year approaching is looming large (and a bit daunting) in your mind, maybe it’s time to sit down with your spouse and assess how the year has gone. What worked? What didn’t? What caused trouble in paradise? Attitudes? Aptitudes? Lack of proper scheduling? Too much scheduling? Too many interruptions in the day? Too few? High expectations? Mom burnout? Depending on what conclusions you arrive at, maybe it’s time to make a few changes. If you look at changes as a learning experience (Mom’s professional development), no matter what you decide to do will be positive. You’ll find out that you either love the new change, or you’ll realize that the old way was great-it just needed a few minor tweaks. If you don’t take the step to make a change, however small or large, you stay stuck in a rut unsatisfied, wondering if you’ve done the right thing.
Now is a good time to pray about these decisions, asking God for wisdom to make the right choices for your children. Discussing options with older students would be helpful, keeping in mind their future plans. Dialoguing with other moms and your online teachers, as well as attending a homeschool convention would be beneficial. Perhaps you’ll find just the new resource, teaching tip, or encouragement you’ve been looking for, or you’ll feel a confirmation that what you are using and doing is just great. Either way, you will be inspired to carry on your homeschooling adventure.
Maybe that old sweater just needs a few minor repairs, a patch here and there, and it’s as good as new… or that new sweater with those vibrant colors is beckoning you to try it on. Go for it! You many never know if it was made for you until you do!