Welcome to the Mentor 4 Moms Podcast!
On this episode:
In this episode I talk a bit about what my homeschool looks like today, and give some tips for getting started as a new homeschooler:
First, determine homeschool rules in your state.
Next, get clear on your why for homeschooling.
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Quickly turn your reasons into goals
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Reasons are good motivational tools, but motivation is short term
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Goals connect purpose, and purpose can sustain you
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For example, “My kid was being bullied” is a great motivator, but once the bullies are no longer an issue, then you need a goal, something deeper to keep you going on the tough days ahead.
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Another example, “My son/daughter is bored or not being challenged academically”. Once again a great motivator but long term you need more.
Shifting from a reason to creating goals looks like:
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Focusing on what you want to create more than what you don’t want
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Counting the cost financially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually to homeschool
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Getting clear on your commitment: is this for 1 year, 5 years, or more? This answer may change, but it’s important to think about it
Identify places where you not only get information, but also support.
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Support is more than it’s possible, but it’s possible for YOU.
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You and your unique circumstances. Your financial status, emotional status, time available to homeschool and your own educational past.
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Whether you have a GED or a PhD, you can homeschool.
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Whether you have private school funds to help you hs or you have to primarily use cheap to free materials, you can homeschool.
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Whether you have 5 kids or just one, you can homeschool.
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But knowing that you can will fade on those hard days and that’s when support is needed.
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The time to get your support in place is before you need it. So find those 1-3 people, or group, or community that will help you.
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Don’t underestimate the importance of this step
Invest in your education first.
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What is your definition of education
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What is your definition of school
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What core values do you want to focus on to create a culture of learning
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When your child graduates what do you want to be true for them
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How much time do you have to devote to making these things happen
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What tools and resources do you have available to help you get started: the local library, marine science center, national park, in home library, community center, YMCA, neighbor who Homeschools, aging parents who were former educators, friends who are scientists, lawyers, financial experts, mechanics, agriculture experts, teachers, cooks, business owners, nature enthusiasts, and more.
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Take inventory of your life and recognize how much you already have available to you
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It’s tempting to think that you have to go buy everything just to get started. I think more than anything you need to invest a little time into taking an assessment of what you already have
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