Confessions from my Homeschool #MomLife

Admit it. When I say that I’m a homeschool mom, your mind may have had a flash of me with my kids all in matching denim jumpers holding jars of preserves from produce in our garden — and maybe a few chickens running around our farm.

Well, even if that wasn’t the first picture in your head, you may have some preconceived notions about homeschool families. I know I did before I first started homeschooling. For the record, we live in San Diego, which means you are more likely to find me in flip flops than garden boots.

I’ve been homeschooling for over ten years now and for the most part I try to break the stereotype of homeschooling. For instance, I try to get myself and my kids out of our pajamas at some point in the morning versus staying in them all day. Don’t get me wrong, being able to stay in my PJs until noon is sometimes a wonderful luxury. However, I feel this pressure to make sure that I’m teaching my kids good habits for their morning routines that will serve them well in the future.

Sometimes I think I should actually try a little harder to be a bit more stereotypical and learn how to bake bread from scratch, grow vegetables in our own garden, sew some basic things with a sewing machine (I can at least sew on a button by hand), and maybe even get some chickens.

We seem to be losing some of these skills in our modern, digital age. Skills that used to be passed down from generation to generation are now being replaced by modern conveniences. Somehow I missed them, and I know I’m not alone. My grandma recently passed away this March. As I sorted through all her beautifully crocheted afghans, I felt crushed that I never learned how to crochet from her. She was amazing. She showed me once, but I never practiced and therefore never learned.

It seems in all my efforts to feel more trendy — and dare I say “hip” — I’m realizing now how much I wish I was a little more stereotypical. I want my kids to know how to do some of these wonderful elements of homemaking.

So, now I guess it’s time for me to confess. I want to be a little more “homeschooly.” As much as I used to run from it, now I find myself wanting to run to it. I don’t think I have to give up my flip flops to learn some good, ‘ol life skills. Then, as I learn, I can teach my newly honed home economic expertise to my children.

In my grandma’s words, “It’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks.” Yes, in this example I’m referring to myself as old. I’m okay with that. I’m just trying to model the habit of being a lifelong learner for my kids.

For those families who homeschool, are interested in homeschooling, or have friends in their lives interested in homeschooling, my dear friend, Tricia Goyer, and I share all our best homeschool advice and encouragement in our new book, Homeschool Basics: How to Get Started, Keep Motivated, and Bring Out the Best in Your Kids. I hope you’ll love it.

Blessings and joy,

Kristi Clover

Let’s Connect: My Website, My Simply Joyful Podcast, — &  YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter

P.S. If you’d like a free digital copy of my Sanity Savers for Moms book, you can get a copy here. I hope it blesses you.