What I've Learned as a Second Year Homeschool Mom

We completed the 2024-2025 school year a few weeks ago and it's been eye-opening.

I homeschool two kids, one was in first grade and the other in kindergarten. Homeschooling this age is quite different than older ones. That being said, this post will mostly be about younger children.

First, young children have small attention spans. Five year olds have an attention span of 10-15 minutes, but it varies from child to child. I have two children who have very different schooling styles. One needs more breaks. One needs reminders to stay focused. One does their schoolwork without any questions and the other keeps asking me if they're almost done.

Growing up, I did public school, a private christian school, and a year of homeschool. And I can remember so many kids that had a small attention span. The teacher would always call them out and it would be a whole scene. But why do we expect children, especially young children, to pay attention for more when it's been scientifically proven that their attention spans are short? It's like we're setting up children to fail. This is one of the many reasons why I prefer homeschooling. You, as the parent, can set the schedule where it benefits your child.

Second, children have different learning styles. When I was going through the process to enroll my daughter into a charter school they had her take a learning personality quiz. She was only five at the time but it was amazing to see how close the quiz was to her learning style.

I learn through visual learning. Give me all of the pictures so I can SEE how things are done. When some people hear about learning styles they may say, "it's just an excuse," but think about it. Have you tried to tell someone how to do something and they give you a blank stare? Have you written directions for someone and they keep asking questions even though you wrote it down? God didn't make robots who think and learn the same. We are all image bearers, but we're wonderfully and fearfully made. I have to remind myself not to get caught up in how I learn and help my children so they can succeed. That being said, I don't always teach in their learning style. They need to know other ways to learn because as they grow and maybe go to college, their professors will teach how they teach. Bottom line: find how your child learns, teach them 60% in their learning style, and 40% not in their learning style.

Third, seriously, stop comparing yourself to other homeschool moms. Easier said than done. Every family has their unique family culture and schedule and to compare yourself to other families is detrimental. Also, like I've said earlier, children have different learning styles, different learning curiosities, and curriculum.

I believe it's good to reflect after the school year, pray, talk with your spouse, and see if you need to do things differently. This isn't a "I should do what so-and-so is doing." This is a thought out, looking back at the school year, conversing with your spouse, praying, and coming to decisions. I know for myself, I've already been reflecting and praying about this next school year. I'm not sure how this next year will look and that's okay because I still have a couple of months. I think of the verse, "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." (Colossians 3:17) Our heart motivation needs to be set on Christ when we homeschool. When we have an eternal perspective comparison has no room to intrude.

Fourth, people assume you homeschool all day. Because public and private schools are all day, most people think homeschool is all day. Homeschooling a child in Jr. High or High School may be all day, but typically it isn't. When I say "all-day" I mean typical public/private school hours, which vary, but are around 8 AM - 3 PM.

Our homeschool day ranges from 1.5 - 2.5 hours. It depends on what we do for the day. Also, because my daughter is reading more of her schoolwork it takes her longer than my son. Every homeschool family has their own schedule and I'm not saying mine is better. The length of your homeschool day varies because of children amount, curriculum, daily life, and other variables. Also, I'm homeschooling young ones and their schoolwork is a lot easier than algebra alone.

Fifth, find a homeschool group. In our small town we have a large homeschool group where grades range from kindergarten through high school. We have younger, inexperienced homeschool moms and older, experienced moms. We have families that homeschool through a charter and some that don't. We don't all use the same curriculum and it's insightful to hear each other's curriculum ups and downs. We don't all go to the same church. Some families have five children, one child, seven, and in-between. Even with all of our differences, we know we have each other to lean on. We do field trips together and hang out outside of homeschool. I know homeschooling is easier in the sense that you're not alone, when you have a group to lean on.

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Whether you're about to start your homeschool journey or a veteran, what is your heart motivation to homeschool? Are your eyes on Christ and how you can disciple your children through homeschooling? Homeschooling is not all butterflies and rainbows but it's also not dark clouds and thunder.

If you're unsure what to do concerning homeschool, lean on:

James 1:5

"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

Proverbs 3: 5-6

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight."

1 Corinthians 15:58

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be stedfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."

Deuteronomy 6:5-7

"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up."

(My heart motivation to homeschool. My children hear me repeat verse 5 a lot! As well as Matthew 22:35-40 & Mark 12:30-31.

New Every Morning

-Chloe Burch