» 10 Signs You’re Doing Something Right as a Homeschooler Magic and Mayhem

10 Signs You’re Doing Something Right as a Homeschooler

Feb 5th, 2011 by Alicia

It’s easy to doubt yourself when you homeschool.

You find out the neighborhood school kids are studying calculus in second grade.

The other parents in your homeschool group brag that their kids are six grades ahead of where they should be.

You read homeschool blogs where parents explain how they schedule and organize 18 children on a hundred acre hobby farm in an immaculate home full of elaborate craft projects.

You can’t remember the last time you finished a lesson plan, and your kids stare at you blankly when you ask them how many states there are.

Nevermind all that.

Here’s 10 ways to know if you’re doing okay anyway.

Your children view trips to the library with the same enthusiasm as trips to the ice cream store.
Science supplies are considered cool toys.
Your kids know how to google or otherwise search out information on whatever subjects spark their interests minute by minute.
You have so many books that you could build a guest house in the backyard with them all (though you’d never do such a thing with them!).
You need a break from all the socialization opportunities your family is taking part in.
You can turn absolutely any errand, TV show or innocent question into something educational.
Your dining room table is piled high with art projects, lapbooks, science experiments, math manipulatives and other non-dining related items (bonus for each type of mess it houses!).
Your kids feel bad for kids who go to SOTH (school outside the home).
You consider museum memberships, zoo passes, magazine subscriptions, art supplies, karate classes, electronic gadgets, trips to ethnic stores and restaurants, Netflix subscriptions and overdue library fines “educational expenses.”
Your kids still get excited about learning.

See? I bet it turns out you’re rocking it after all.

Any you’d add? Leave them in the comments!

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Posted in support | 23 Comments

23 Responses to “10 Signs You’re Doing Something Right as a Homeschooler”

on 05 Feb 2011 at 4:02 pm1 April

about the book ‘house’ . You say:

You have so many books that you could build a guest house in the backyard with them all (though you’d never do such a thing with them!).

I contend that your children would consider building this IN the house therefore getting past the fact that the outdoors ruins books.
on 05 Feb 2011 at 5:26 pm2 Alicia

True!
on 05 Feb 2011 at 7:23 pm3 Vanessa

That’s the best list I’ve read in a long time!!
Thanks for making me feel like a home ed. superhero!
on 05 Feb 2011 at 7:43 pm4 Alex

Great list!!
on 05 Feb 2011 at 7:44 pm5 Heather

Your children go hiking and excited name the fauna telling facts about each. They then build elaborate rock dams in a stream noting the change in water height in the pond.

Fantastic list. I just added the above as we lived that this afternoon while out exploring.
on 05 Feb 2011 at 8:33 pm6 Debbie

I love this! Thank you for posting it!
on 06 Feb 2011 at 11:36 am7 Not So Average Mama

I totally needed this today! THANKS!
on 06 Feb 2011 at 12:59 pm8 applestars

I’ve been going at unschooling my children for 19 years now, and your top 10 list is SPOT ON! And, yes, we have to get out of our heads as homeschoolers that our children have to be doing something epic at all times.
on 06 Feb 2011 at 1:40 pm9 Alicia

19 years! I bow to you!
on 06 Feb 2011 at 1:41 pm10 Alicia

Exactly! That sounds like a perfect afternoon. I’m jealous! We’re still buried in snow!
on 06 Feb 2011 at 1:42 pm11 Alicia

Thanks!
on 06 Feb 2011 at 1:45 pm12 Alicia

I’ve been needing reminders lately too. Lately with the weather and all of us being sick, I think we need #11 — if your school uniform is pajamas.
on 06 Feb 2011 at 1:45 pm13 Alicia

Thanks!
on 06 Feb 2011 at 1:46 pm14 Alicia

Thanks Vanessa. I think we’re all home ed superheroes much more than we realize.
on 07 Feb 2011 at 9:45 am15 BMama

Thank you so much for this. I’ve been feeling like a failure lately, but after reading this I realize that we’re doing alright.

Ditto for pajamas as a school uniform!
on 07 Feb 2011 at 10:49 am16 Alicia

Oh good!
on 07 Feb 2011 at 1:52 pm17 Mary Beth Locke

So encouraging! Thank you!
on 07 Feb 2011 at 9:49 pm18 Linda

You have so many books that your friends think your house is a library and call you first when they need a book.

Thank you so much for this reminder. I REALLY needed it today!!!
on 07 Feb 2011 at 10:31 pm19 Alicia

I can relate to that one! Glad if it helped!
on 08 Feb 2011 at 12:04 am20 AmyC

Oh, this is SO GOOD! Thank you!
on 08 Feb 2011 at 10:30 am21 Nota Supermom

When your teenage kids can hang out with adult family and make you proud when they can interact and have a conversation.

I liked this post and shared it on facebook. It got a very positive response!
on 08 Feb 2011 at 12:10 pm22 Alicia

Good one! And thank you!
on 09 Feb 2011 at 7:37 am23 Stella

All of those describe our home too, with the exception of number 8, as my kids go to the local PS. No need to feel sorry for them.