Welcome to The Heart Centered Homeschool. In today’s post, we will be exploring how to homeschool the heart centered way, and what that looks like for your family. My goal is to provide thoughtful encouragement and practical advice to all homeschooling families. Thanks for being here!

Heart Centered Homeschool: There is No One Way to Homeschool

While many families are still enjoying their summer break, the new homeschool year in our state has begun and as a result I am seeing a lot of questions about homeschooling and exactly how to do it “successfully.” 

I saw a post not long ago in a homeschool group by a precious new mother who expressed that she was having a difficult time imagining sending her newborn daughter off to school, bless her sweet mama heart!  She joined our group in hopes to gain some knowledge and to ask any questions she might have about home educating her beautiful baby and any future children, when the time comes. Hey, it’s never too early to start right?! 

In fact, I recently found an email I’d sent to my husband back in 2014 when our first babies, (our twins) were just one year old. It was a link to an article about the benefits of homeschooling and in the subject line I’d written, “Let’s do it.”

We are now in our 8th year of homeschooling (granted we took the pre K years very slowly) but I’ve learned a thing or two during this time. 

One thing I’ve learned for certain is that there is no ONE way to homeschool. This is true not only because every family is unique and therefore has unique needs but also because within our own families, our needs and our circumstances are constantly evolving.

Heart Centered Homeschool: Adjusting Expectations

Our family has homeschooled through having another child (one who was quite nap adverse, NEVER took a bottle and wanted to be held or worn at all times,) through unemployment, a pandemic, and a cancer diagnosis.

During each of these seasons homeschooling looked a bit different and our measure for success was adjusted so that our goals were obtainable.

For example, it would have been unrealistic for me to expect that I could teach every subject as I’ve always done while I was extremely ill every other week from chemotherapy for six months. We had to make some adjustments. I had to seek out other resources for helping my children learn, and I had to let some things go for a time, adios espanol curriculum!

I say all that to say this; as much as I would love to give every family a foolproof formula to homeschool their children successfully Pre K thru Highschool (I too would like this formula) it’s just not possible; there are simply too many variables to consider.

That said, there is some practical advice I can share which I think most; if not all prospective and even existing homeschooling families may benefit from. 

Heart Centered Homeschool: Orient Your Children’s Education Around Your Family’s Needs:

I am not unique in sharing this information. I have seen many “Homeschooling 101” type post over the years and I had considered making this much more straightforward. But, I felt I would be somewhat remiss if I didn’t drive home the point that there are a multitude of ways to homeschool successfully. 

Knowing this also frees us from the burden of comparison because truly no two families are the same. The dynamics of our own families change and thus how we homeschool is bound to be affected because home and school are so inextricably linked.

Homeschooling has the unique ability to be an anchor in our lives while also allowing us to be quite flexible in our approach. We have been truly blessed by the ability to orient our children’s education around our family’s needs and circumstances at any given time always keeping relationship at the forefront of what we do because, as the wise and wonderful Mr Rogers said, “A love of learning, has a lot to do with learning we are loved.” I am so thankful for the ways homeschooling has enriched and truly blessed our lives even in times of great difficulty.

The ability to be together through the joys and the challenges has been such a gift. I am so thankful that the Lord put it on my heart to homeschool and that He has continued to equip me day by day.

Heart Centered Homeschool: Practical Wisdom For the Homeschool Family:

Now, for some practical advice which can be applied at the start of or anytime during your homeschool journey, should you need it. 

Heart Centered Homeschool: Faith Based Education

First and foremost: Pray and seek God’s counsel and wisdom for your homeschool. Lean into His faithfulness knowing that He who began a good work in you will see it through to completion– Phillipians 1:6. 

Charlotte Mason Said: “We hold that all education is divine, that every good gift of knowledge and insight comes from above… that the culmination of all education is that personal knowledge of and intimacy with God in which our being finds its fullest perfection”.

God loves you and your children. Swing open the doors of your homeschools and your hearts to Him. Lead each day with praise and prayer and marvel at His goodness. The Author of Life is in every subject we teach because all things were created through Him and for His Glory. Faith first. 

If you aren’t sure where to start, we have enjoyed the following books and materials. The ESV Study Bible, The Jesus Storybook Bible, WonderFull: Ancient Psalms Ever New (I recently finished the Psalms and enjoyed this book as a compliment to my Scripture Study.) I also participated in a study of the Psalms at church last year using this workbook. After an especially difficult season for our family, studying the Psalms has been a balm to our souls. God’s Living Word truly does not return void Isaiah 55:11.

Another Wonderful book by Marty Machowski is The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New, The children received Adventure Bibles as Baptism Gifts from their grandma and we have loved our Treehouse Schoolhouse Rooted Family Bible Curriculum. We also love using a variety of resources from The Daily Grace Co.

Heart Centered Homeschool:Homeschool Laws and Legislation

Second, be informed of your state’s homeschool laws. I periodically check my state’s laws and any legislation regarding home education. I’m also a member of a local homeschooling organization as well as a member of HSLDA. 

We have a responsibility as homeschool parents to ensure that we are not only in compliance with the educational requirements of the state but also that we are engaged with and aware of legislation that affects our children’s education. 

Heart Centered Homeschool:Research:Find Your Approach

Third, research the various educational philosophies and pedagogies. Determine what suits your family’s learning style(s) and values and how you might approach teaching your children. Bear in mind your preferences because frankly, if you don’t enjoy teaching, your children more than likely will not enjoy learning. 

Heart Centered Homeschool: Curriculum

Fourth, choose a curriculum. As I stated in my blog post Homeschool Curriculum: Helpful, But Not Necessary. How We Achieve Balance in Our Homeschool Using Curriculum and Creativity, curriculum is a fantastic tool for home educating our children. Once you’ve determined what it is you need to cover per your state’s requirements and your personal goals, you can choose curriculum that suits your family’s preferences. 

As mentioned in my post referenced above, some of our favorite curriculum choices include: The Good and The Beautiful, Simply Charlotte Mason, Beautiful Feet Books, Under the Home, The Peaceful Press, Treehouse Schoolhouse, and Exploring Nature with Children. We also read a lot of Living Books which helps us to cover a myriad of subjects in such a relaxed and engaging way. You can find my Book List here.

Heart Centered Homeschool: Plan

Fifth, make a plan. This can be as simple or as complex as you prefer. Here is a post I wrote about creating a schedule or daily rhythm which you may find helpful.

There are some families who plan by term, some who plan the entire year in advance, and others who have a general idea of what they’d like to cover and/or what their goals are and prefer to document their progress as they go along. 

I fall into the latter camp for the most part. 

Personally, I found the SUPER detailed plans overwhelming and even a bit stifling. I certainly set goals but I like to keep things a little more flexible so that we have the freedom to pivot when needed. Plans are fantastic, but they are yet another tool and not a master.

Our plans don’t have to be grand to be great. They can be simple and still effective. 

Remember, “Little drops of water, little grains of sand, make the mighty ocean and the pleasant land.” -Ebenezer Brewer

Heart Centered Homeschool:Community

Finally, seek community. We were designed to be in fellowship with one another. Pursue relationships with other homeschooling families, explore your local co-ops, homeschooling classes, and activities. Check what offerings are available through your church, library and local parks department. There are so many wonderful opportunities available to us.

It may take a while to find “your people” but rest assure that when you do, your homeschool will expand in the most wonderful ways. For those lacking in mentorship, I’d like to share my list of favorite books for the homeschool mama here. Each of these incredible titles and their amazing authors have been such an encouragement to me and an inspiration for The Heart Centered Homeschool.

Heart Centered Homeschool: With A Little Help From Our Friends:

My children and I are better for having the relationships we do. I’m so thankful for the amazing families who have helped to bring us along, who are invested in our success, who have enriched our lives and our learning, and who have been such a fantastic support in our times of need. 

I hope this post offers you some encouragement along with some practical assistance you’ll find helpful. I am so thankful for our Heart Centered Homeschool community. Thank you so much for being here! 

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