On Staying responsive

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If there is one advice that I will give anyone who home educates is this – never allow a system for education to replace love for individuals . The longer you home educate , the more you realise how true this is . Last night, I was re reading a chapter from “ A gracious Space “ by Julie Bogart ( I thoroughly recommend her books btw ) and this was staring at me , so I thought I would share it :

“ If you value learning together with your children, homeschool is not a task you complete one day and then you are done . Rather it’s an ongoing source of relationship and self- education that your family will share throughout their lives .

All the choices you make shape who you become to each other . It’s okay that you didn’t find the right system earlier . There is no right system ! There is you, your family , and what you stumble upon that helps you each year as you move forward in life . Promise yourself one thing , and I think you will be okay :

Stay responsive
Stay responsive to the moment (what’s working , what isn’t ?)
Stay responsive to the child ( what’s working for the child / what isn’t )
Stay responsive to new input ( don’t disqualify any educational idea or tool because you are afraid you will look bad to some group of homeschoolers )

Allow your homeschool to evolve , morph , grow or shrink . Stick up for your choices in the face of pressure to feel badly about them. Do not adopt a system or a set of values and belief that trump the individuals who live in your home . There is no right system .

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There is only your family . Love them and pay attention to them . Be satisfied with your unique blend of quality ideas that you sift and apply to your family , trusting that all together , you have created a life that values learning . If you ever feel belittled or shamed about the choices you make for your family , leave that group. Protect your family for judgement . Stand up for yourself . Learn. Enjoy ! “

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