"So, What's The Plan?"
When it comes to homeschooling, there is one thing you can always count on-
questions.
Family, friends, neighbors, outsiders, they've got questions!
With homeschooling growing in numbers, we have some hope that the concept of homeschooling will become so common that it won't pose as many questions for those choosing it. For now though, so often, once you explain you've chosen to homeschool, questions are approaching.
I believe that most questions asked aren't out of looming judgement or opposing opinions, but rather a true interest and curiosity. The more questions I get, the more I feel equipped and confident in homeschooling, so bring them on.
"Are you going to try it for a couple years and put them into school?"
No, they're already in 'school' now.
"You'll put them in middle school once subjects get harder, right?"
No. We will keep learning together.
"You'll definitely put them in high school, right?"
No. With so many different options for learning why would I limit them for high school?"
"There is no plan."
When my stance on questioning begins to change though, is when those asking want to know
"the plan",
and when there isn't a definitive answer to this question, they interpret that as a lack of preparation or as an inability to do the "job".
Not taking this to heart has had its challenges. Once doubt sneaks into our head, it can swell, destroy our confidence, and make it hard to shake.
But remember, those who ask this question more than likely have never homeschooled;
they only know how they experienced school, and how they expect school to look.
They don't recognize that in order to homeschool successfully, you don't have to have every year of their education mapped out and designed in depth.
In fact, in my experience with homeschool, the less you plan, the better.
I know, completely unconventional right?
That's the objective!
Plans can be helpful, absolutely, but when educating your family becomes so plan-focused, then learning loses its luster. The goal isn't to follow every order, check every box, and execute the perfect plan. The goal is to nurture a desire to learn, to look at every day objects and topics and recognize that there is something to be learned there-
organic, natural, happy learning.
Countless times, lessons and activities didn't go to plan, but it was in those times that learning still thrived. Concepts were still mastered, because our learning isn't dependent on what is outlined on paper, by what others are learning, or what is deemed as worthy of learning.
In homeschool, anything and everything can be learned!
How can you make a twelve year plan for that? Learning was never intended to end.
Being free to invest time in their personal interests, spawns learning that isn't cut from the same cloth as everyone else's, so our plan can't be held to the same expectation.
Not having a formal plan for the duration, the year, month, or even the week isn't a disadvantage. It doesn't mean failure or ineptitude.
It means freedom to learn how, when, and what is best for your family in today.
My Only Plan...
Ultimately, the only plan I have is to ensure my children are progressing; happily, spiritually, and healthily, in their education and in their life.
What better plan can you have than that?
Let's [Not] Plan Together!
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