“Am I too late?” I wondered. Then a thought crossed my mind: It’s never too late.
Are you thinking about homeschooling your children right now? Are you overwhelmed with thoughts on how to get started? Would you believe me if I told you that you are not alone?
A few years ago, I met a mom who had just taken her son out of traditional school to homeschool — in the middle of his fourth-grade year. She also had a daughter in eleventh grade, but since she had only a year and a half until graduation, her mom didn’t even consider homeschooling her. While researching curriculum options for her son, this mom found herself reading about the classical approach to education. She was intrigued by the idea of teaching her children how to learn.
She decided to attend an Information Meeting about Classical Conversations and our homeschooling programs rooted in this classical model. After the meeting, her eleventh-grade daughter discovered the Classical Conversations catalog lying on the counter and flipped through it. She fell in love with everything she read and asked her mom if she would consider homeschooling her with this program. Because this mom was struggling with uncertainties and insecurities in her ability to educate her children, she wasn’t sure she would be able to offer this opportunity to her oldest child.
It’s Never Too Late to Start Homeschooling!
Thankfully, she was given assurance by another homeschooling parent that the Classical Conversations programs provides community support that would walk alongside her in this educational journey. The mom and daughter visited a local program during an Open House and were in awe of the discussions they witnessed. Amazed at the classical approach to learning, they jumped in with arms wide open, fully engaged.
I was blessed to tutor this student her senior year and was amazed at the transformation in her confidence and her ability to articulate her thoughts to other students without fear of judgement. Her mom was amazed at how much her daughter blossomed in this new environment. This beautiful young lady is now in her second year of college a few states from home and is thriving as a leader. She is proof that it is never too late to start!
If you are thinking that it’s too late, then think again! There are so many other families just like this one who have taken the plunge and joined the home education journey. The season of raising your child is short. Don’t waste one more day considering homeschooling. Act now. It will be worth every bit of labor and sacrifice. And remember, you don’t have to do it alone! There are Classical Conversations local communities and homeschool co-ops where you can find the support, accountability, and guidance of other homeschooling families.
Practical Tips for the Road
Here are a few tips that helped me when I first started homeschooling. I hope they will help you as you start your own journey:
- Just breathe. This sounds simple enough, but is sometimes forgotten.
- Learn together. This isn’t about how much you know or don’t know, but how willing you are to learn.
- No Plan B. Homeschooling is hard. But it’s important to do the hard things until the hard becomes easy—or at least easier! Remember your “why” for homeschooling and let that motivate you to carry on. Now, being on the other side of my journey and graduating two kiddos, I can confidently say that homeschooling was worth every minute, both fun and difficult!
- Be flexible. Life will throw you some curve balls, but you were made to be resilient.
- Have fun. Homeschooling does require discipline, but don’t forget to have fun.
- Read together. Reading is the most powerful tool you own, and best of all, it’s free!
- Embrace awe and wonder. Get outside and discover the world through your children’s eyes—it will open your eyes.
- Give grace. You will make mistakes, but forgive yourself, learn from them, and move forward.
Keep in mind that there are lots of choices when it comes to homeschooling your children. I homeschooled alone my first year and almost gave up. I am so thankful that a friend invited me to hear more about a classical education option. If you’re not yet a Classical Conversations member, consider researching the classical method and attending a Classical Conversations outreach event such as an Information Meeting or an Open House. You can use the Event Search page on our website to find one of these events near you!
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