Happy November, New Classics Subscribers!

As the new school year chugs along into late fall, you might be encouraged by this timeless article by our New Classics Author Susan Marlow. She found it buried while fall-cleaning her computer files. Originally published on the Home Educating Family's website in 2014, it's just as fresh today as it was back then.

---------------

If I could do it all over again . . .

I homeschooled for over twenty years. My daughter now homeschools her eight children, two of my sons are engineers, and my youngest son attends college studying computer science (after a stint in the USAF). I was a newbie back in the 80s, but I’d learned a lot by the time I homeschooled our two younger boys in the late 90s and early 2000s—and knew even more when I began to assist my daughter with her own homeschooling journey. If I could do it all over again, I would remember that . . .

1. Academics Aren’t Everything Amazingly, my children grew up and now live on their own, even though I did not rigorously follow the “11 core subjects required by [fill in the name of your state].” I worried at times, since I have a degree in education and love to teach. I also believe in preparing a student for college or a trade. But Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek God’s kingdom first . . . and all these things [like academics] will be added to you.”

My daughter struggles with educating eight children. I have learned to climb down off my academic “high place” and encourage her to teach her children to seek God first, character training second, and academics third. I learned that if I miss something (like Physics), community college is there to pick up the slack. But if I miss implanting God’s Word and character into their hearts, there is no school to pick up that slack, and it has far-reaching effects. 

2. What’s the Rush? News flash: five-year-olds do not have to begin school. Like all moms with a firstborn, my daughter was eager to begin schooling her bright five-year-old. I helped her put on the brakes and enjoy the “freedom” a couple years longer. Eight years later, deep in the trenches, she thanked me. 

3. Schedules Are Made to Be Flexible Not every school day must begin at 8:00 am sharp (with all chores finished before then). I wish I had not been so rigid in this. Yes, children need schedules; so do moms. But what law says your school day can’t begin when the babies go down for naps? I learned that consistency is more important than a specific start time.

4. Math Facts Are Important I did my kids a favor and made them memorize their math facts. They didn’t like it at the time, but later on they leaped miles ahead of their friends, who were still using their fingers or counting in their heads (and hating math).

5. You Don’t Have to Finish the Book This was a hard lesson, but I finally learned that the goal is to learn the subject, not just finish the worksheet pages.

6. Kids Like to Be with Other Kids I’m not big on socialization, but I learned that even a once-a-week get-together (co-op or AWANA) keeps both mom and kids cheerful and eager.

7. The Sky Won’t Fall If You Don’t Keep Perfect Records Records are good, especially for high school. Before that—unless you live in a state that makes you show them—don’t worry about keeping track of every jot and tittle for the elementary-aged kids.

8. Children Are Not All Alike I figured if a certain program worked well for one child, then they should all do it. I learned differently and wish I’d figured this out earlier. Teach according to each child’s God-given differences.

9. It’s Silly to Worry About the Things You Can’t Change It goes against God’s Word too. Compiling this list makes me long to turn back the clock and homeschool “just one more time,” so I can do it “right.” But I can’t go back, only forward. I’ve learned to respect my adult children and support them in their life decisions, even if they don’t follow my mental and emotional agendas. 

10. Children Grow Up Way Too Fast I learned that while a homeschooling day often seems to last forever, the years pass by at the speed of light. Enjoy each precious day with your children. Before you know it, they will be walking out the door and flying on their own.

If you have any words of wisdom you would like to share, I welcome your input and invite you to reply to this email with things you have learned over the years regarding your homeschooling journey. Then I could put together a "Part 2" newsletter. 😊

-----------------------

. . . is the author of the Circle C and Goldtown Adventures series, historical adventure novels set in the Old West of California. She is a 20+ year homeschooling veteran and loves to engage with readers at homeschool conventions and on her blog. Her New Classics book, Thick as Thieves, includes a free study guide that you can download for free. ️Check out the first two chapters of Thick as Thieves.

-----------------------

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE CIRCLE C MILESTONES

♥♥♥♥♥ I loved Thick as Thieves! It was filled with adventure and had valuable lessons, such as it’s better to be a friend who sticks closer than a brother than a non-truthful one. There is also that you can’t always judge by appearances what a person is really like. –Lollipops

♥♥♥♥♥ We love this series! An author we can trust with our daughters. No worrying about morals and bad influence! There is a series for younger girls and also a whole series for boys!! –Morning Coffee

♥♥♥♥♥ Finally, a “clean” series for young ladies to enjoy! –Jes S.

---------------------

You have received this email because you signed up for our newsletter, entered a giveaway, or downloaded a freebie. Unsubscribe at any time.