Found yourself Involuntarily Homeschooling all your kids, and your sensory reactive kid? That can be a tall order for someone who never signed up to do it. Here’s my input on homeschool-something in my life that initially began out of fear...but eventually continued out of passion and purpose. 

Years ago, there was an awful series of news reports where teachers were doing inappropriate things with their students. I was horrified and couldn’t imagine sending my four-year-old to school at the time. So we began to consider homeschooling as an option.

After we attended a homeschool convention, my husband and I radically changed our minds as to our reason to homeschool. We realized that for us - it was God’s will. 

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You should teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” 

We saw that the bible painted the picture of the family always being together. So we embraced it. Furthermore, years later, we discovered that as entrepreneurs who also work from home, this is absolute truth. We are always together! When the world was "normal" (pre-corona virus quarantine) we also kept ourselves connected with a community of homeschoolers in various groups and classes. But at this time, with those bigger connections not being an option and aside from online groups, we are pressing in even more intentionally to family. We are cultivating family relationships one day at a time. 

Here’s what I want you to know:

1. You do NOT have the patience to homeschool. But...you do have the grace. And You are the BEST teacher for your children. Who better knows their children than mom and dad?

🗝

2. Teaching your children DOES NOT have to look the same as public school. You can be creative, teach to their strengths, be flexible, have fun, laugh and condense the day. Who said 8 hours of learning is the way? And for sensory reactive kids who struggle with 8 hours of sitting and listening, this time will bless them! Take lots of breaks in between learning. Let them learn while hanging upside down from the couch. If it works, run with it. Trial and error can go a long way. Be unconventional!

3. When teaching littles, allow them to learn through play! These are my favorite years and they learn so much through exploration, adventure and pure play. Incorporate play into learning. Search the topic of sensory bins and be amazed! Depending on the needs and preferences of your reactive sensory kid, you can tailor these bins to them individually. 

4. Learn through experience. 👨‍🍳👩‍🔧Have your older kids do the meals. Put math and science into cooking (measurements, chemistry of combinations, etc). Make geometry part of measuring that floor you want to re-do. Use real-world as your field of learning. Does the car need an oil change? Have dad teach it!

5. There is a ton of FREE online RESOURCES. You don't NEED a text book. 📙

6. Don't have anything but paper? Consider doing NOTE BOOKING and put all your vocabulary (simple/basic definition of terms) and writing along with drawing and art in the same place (great for ANY subject: biology, geography, even math). Go on nature walks (think backyard or around the block or parks if you live in the city). Collect cool things, draw them and teach the skill of attentiveness. Start small. First sixty seconds, then five minutes, then fifteen.👀

7. There is no right or wrong way to homeschool! The beauty of homeschooling is you get to figure it out for your own family. Relax and make it special. 🦋 Take breaks, you and your children will need them. Walk away when things get hot. Step back and view things differently. Take inventory of your heart first, then your tone, your attitude, your mindset. What kind of vibe are you putting off? You help create the atmosphere in your home, will it be one of stress? Or one of positivity and encouragement... No. Matter. What. 

8. Phone a friend 😀 Reach out to a more experienced homeschool mom for encouragement and support if you still feel stuck, overwhelmed or under qualified. You can do this, I believe in you. 

How do I know these ways will work? Well, because I've done the opposite and have been a first hand witness of what perpetuates strife and chaos. I've focused too much on the wrong things and looked back, in hindsight, to see the better way. When relationship and connection to your child takes top priority over all the academics, you win. Every time. Love always wins and love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:8a. Love while teaching your child or learning along side your child makes you a victor and creates an experience that is formulated from the heart posture of the King. Now go, take your children and explore with them. See from child-like eyes and wonder at the Lord. He's everywhere if you take the time to see Him.