Our Unexpected Homeschool
Some families prepare and organize for homeschooling, researching everything they can get their hands on.
Others have homeschooling thrust upon them!
Our homeschool journey started almost 15 years ago. My 6-year-old son came home from his first day of first grade at a new school, in a new state.
He was excited…up until class started.
For the first time in his life, he didn’t want to go to school. When we got home that afternoon, he begged me to homeschool him.
Shocked, I responded with, “I’m sorry, whose child are you?” (I know, Mother of the Year, right?) Long story short, he convinced me to homeschool him.
I had the weekend to figure out how to do that – to figure out the laws, requirements, curriculum, schedules…and oh yeah, how to even do it in the first place.
Talk about rushed!
Our first year, I went through four full curriculum packages (which burned through a few thousand dollars fairly quickly), 3 different schedules, and several hours filled with tears and chocolate.
I read everything I could find…which in 2004, wasn’t much. I had no idea what I was doing, but I plugged along, determined to figure it out.
Finding My Way
Eventually, I got connected with other local homeschoolers, figured out some other options that might work, and spent hours upon hours researching.
I made mistakes and learned from them; I started picking and choosing materials and ideas to form my own curriculum when I couldn’t find what I needed.
I started teaching at local co ops, working with kids of all different levels, kids that grew up with different teaching philosophies at home.
I did more research and figured out different ways to teach each of them.
Basically, I didn’t sleep much for a decade or so. But I learned a lot. And now I can share that with you.
Fast forward to the present day: my son has now graduated and is doing well in college; he is active in ministry and is actively gaining the skills needed to start his own business.
It wasn’t always easy, but looking back on our journey, it was worth it.
Learning to teach and guide my creative, out of the box, unconventional learner is one of the best things I’ve ever taken on.
A Helping Hand Homeschool
That’s what A Helping Hand Homeschool is about: sharing what I’ve learned to help you teach in creative, out of the box ways!
You’ll find how-tos, tips and tricks, and organizational helps for the not-so-organized. And I’ll always keep you up to date on all the latest homeschool deals, freebies, and discounts!
You’ll also find curriculum resources like notebooking pages, unit studies, and full subject resources in my store!
And because homeschooling is far more than school, you’ll also find resources to develop your faith and ideas to help you as a homemaker.
The years of research, mistakes, and lessons I learned were well worth it. They can now be put to work for you!
~Jen
