Homeschool Myths by Becky Boerner Updated

The year is underway, and hopefully you are getting in the groove of home education.  After having the privilege of talking to many home educators in person and virtually through the years, I have found that I am not alone in believing some homeschool myths. Though none of us believe them every day, it is easy to let them slip in.

Myth:  I think his her homeschool day always flows way better than mine.

Fact:  Sometimes his/her day is better than yours, but sometimes yours day is better than theirs.  That sounds so simple, but when you are alone at your house and watching chaos ensue it is easy to believe that myth.  

Myth:  When others homeschool, their children sit around the table and smile up at them, complete their work without complaint, and do what they are supposed to do. 

Fact: Most families' kids are probably like yours and occasionally argue, act stubborn, and maybe even cry about doing their work.  (Of course, I have only heard about other children doing this.☺) Homeschooling is hard and that is okay! 

Myth:  Other people do so many amazing things with their kids all day long, while I am just trying to get through the day! 

Fact:  You do amazing things with your kids.  I have looked at thousands of portfolios and talked to many homeschoolers over the years.  I have never looked at a family that did not do at least one thing amazingly well.  I never cease to be amazed at the creativity and ideas that flow from people.  If you are home educating each day, you are doing something amazing!

Myth:  Home Educated Children are always very grateful that you are home educating them, and regularly tell you.    

 
Fact:  You care about your children and are pouring out your life for them.  They occasionally will say something nice, but they are kids.  How many of us were that grateful to our parents until we left home?  Hopefully we can help cultivate grateful hearts, but know that kids are kids.

Myth:  There is a enough time in your day or week to do everything you want to do plus join a co-op, take a field trip, play a sport, or do a service project.   

Fact: I never ceased to be amazed at the many curriculums, opportunities, and activities that there are to choose from.  You can not do everything.  I challenge families to choose wisely what is most important and make sure there is time for your student to be, read, and learn new things independently.  

Myth:  Students working online at Kahn Academy, an online math program, or "Researching" are doing what they are suppose to do and not just telling you they are.  

Fact:  They are not always doing what they are suppose to do. Really. I have learned checking in, having students show you their work, and getting a report is the best way to monitor this.  

The reason I share the last one is almost every veteran homeschooler I talk to has had this happen at least one time with their student. 

PS  This last one is for those of use with older students.   

Happy Home Educating!  Do any of these resonate with you?  

Becky 

I would love to help you with a consult or coaching.  Let's have a virtual meeting.  

  

Repost: Go play in the leaves!-- Happy First Day of Fall!

Happy First Day of Fall!  I posted this back in 2011.   I am reposting with pictures through the years of fall with my kids.   I did take my own advice!  Hoping you are making some memories this fall!  

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This is one of my favorite times of the year to be homeschooling.  There is something incredibly fun about going outside on a weekday with your kids, and knowing that kids who happen to be in school can not do that. You get to do what so few are able to do. 

I still remember the first year we homeschooled.  I felt so free.  I was great to have the time with my kids doing something simple.  I treasure those pictures and the memories.

It is easy at this time of year to worry about not getting enough done, are you covering everything you should be covering, and wondering if you are doing all you could be doing.  I recommend you leave those worries inside, and remember that one of the reasons you homeschool is to be with your kids.  Do not let this season slip away.  It will be gone before you know it. 

So my recommendation is to pick up your camera and take everyone outside to play in the leaves.  You won't regret it.

Becky

Where To Go When with Kids by Lonely Planet

 

Have you traveled with kids? OR What are you reading? I almost always travel with kids. I feel like I have gotten better over the years, but there is definitely more planning, extra time, and other factors to consider when taking a trip with kids. I had a friend say it is the ability to anticipate everything while still being flexible is a mom super power.

Where To Go When with Kids by Lonely Planet is out now. This is a fantastic book to help you plan a trip anywhere in the world with kids. The book shares when special events take place, kid friendly places to visit, and the best time of year to travel. I was amazed by all the information included in this beautiful book. I highly recommend Where to Go When with Kids!

I was given a copy and not required to write a positive review.

Blurb: Discover 300 unforgettable travel experiences for families with kids and teenagers in this ultimate trip planner for every month of the year!

From spotting throngs of penguins on South Africa's Boulders Beach in January to seeing Hong Kong's dazzling festoon of lights at the city's seasonal Winterfest in December, Where To Go When With Kids is the comprehensive trip planner of inspiring month-by-month adventures to spark your family's curiosity and create memories to last a lifetime.  Where To Go When with kids by Lonely Planet.

The Redeemed Reader: Cultivating a Child's Discernment and Imagination Through Truth and Story by Janie Cheaney, Betsy Farquhar, Hayley Morell, Megan Saben

 

The Redeemed Reader Cultivating a Child’s Discernment and Imagination through Truth and Story is the book I wish had been around when I started teaching, homeschooling and parenting many years ago! It takes a deep dive into the world of children’s books from picture books through books for young adults, and asks the hard questions about content, where does your faith fit in, and allows you to think through your children’s reading choices. The book also encourages kindness to authors, loving your library, where to donate books, and managing your home library.

I found myself smiling, relating, and joyful while reading The Redeemed Reader Cultivating a Child’s Discernment and Imagination Through Truth and Story.  by Janie Cheaney Betsy Farquhar, Hayley Morell, Megan Saben.The book is thoughtful, well written and not preachy. I will keep it on my shelf for many years to come for the amazing book-lists, and reread to remind myself the importance of story in our kid’s world. I highly recommend and this will be a favorite of 2025 for me.

I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

You might enjoy viewing The Redeemed Reader Web site and book-lists.  

Happy Back to School OR Surviving the First Few Weeks of Home Education by Becky Boerner

 

Happy Back to School!  (But is it really?) 

The advertisements are showing back to school supplies, everyone is excited about pumpkin lattes and school clothes.  But is everyone truly that excited about the start of school? 

I find the first few weeks of back to school very challenging.  Sometimes it seems like no one remembers their math facts, getting work completed in a timely manner is challenging, and I am pretty sure my students have forgotten many important things from last year.  (Remind me why we are doing this again?)

I wanted to share a  few thoughts from someone starting their 21^st year of home education.  Please know I am preaching to myself.  

•    The first 2-6 weeks can be very challenging.  It seems like your students have forgotten everything from last year, still cannot find their clearly marked supplies, and do not remember  how to be efficient.  Grace.  I would encourage you to work consistently on creating good routines, review the routines, and keep making changes to establish a good routine.  Routines are the key to success. They are worth working on the first few weeks as they will make the rest of your year better. Your future self will thank you!  
•  Don’t be afraid to make some changes to your schedule.  That perfect schedule you made in the summer probably will have a few holes or not be executed quite the way you imagined it to.  Don’t give up!  Get feedback from your students and move forward.  What a great life lesson for our students to watch us demonstrate how to adapt and make changes to schedules that are not serving us well.    
• Celebrate the Wins!  Make sure you celebrate completing the first test, finishing work, starting on time, putting supplies away, and simply making it through any day.  Home education is hard work and deserves celebration. 
  
•  Save some work samples.  You will forget all the progress you made at the end of the year if you do not save work to compare.  Start building a portfolio of work samples now. 
• Look for opportunities to smile at your children, laugh with them, and praise them. It is easy to get caught up in all that has to be done. You are also a building lifetime relationships. 

Give yourself plenty of grace, space, and time to work through the first few weeks of home education. It always gets better. 

The work you do in September will benefit you exponentially in the coming month! 

Happy Back to School!  I would love to know your best tips.  

Becky

PS I am always here to help if you need some help working on your schedule, planning for high school, and walking through how to help a challenging student.  See here for my services.  

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