Trusting

 Believing each child is in your family for a reason.  Trusting you and them are the perfect combination to meet their needs.  Sometimes I say that I have two "only" children.

One boy and one girl that are very different in personality, goals, and ambition.  I can't meet their needs, desires, and life in the exact same way.  Each one shows me where, when, and how to work with them.  Each one needs my undivided attention the it is just us.  Each one craves my emotional support during difficult times. 

Trusting each build our connection.  The trust they place in me creates strengths our the bond.  For me this idea of trust is revealed in my trust in Jesus to work all things out for my good.  As well as His trust in me to care and love my family well.  

Everything Counts

 Everything counts as learning.  Everything.

With young kids, you are right there beside them holding their hands then watching them try it on their own.  Playing, exploring, adventuring, living life, talking, and listening acted out each day counts.

Middle age kids allow you to move to the sideline but still require help in navigating situations, projects, and activities.  Games, interests, projects, movies, classes, podcasts, books, listening, discussing, and life explored each day counts. 

Teens desire more independence which takes you behind the scenes where you remain aware and redials available to help.  Working, pursuing passions, living life, discussing current events, engaging with other adults, and experimenting with hobbies or career skills done each day counts.

Each moment of life, kids grow, learn, and develop into the humans they were designed to be.  You are there to facilitate and help in navigating.  Enjoy your role and let your kids love their life.

Voice

 Everyone has a voice in a homeschool/unschool life style.  Needs, wants, and desires are heard and discussed.  A willingness to fulfill these voiced interests builds respect and trust many traditional homes and school are lacking.  

Instead of demanding respect, it is modeled through honoring opinions of all--children included.  Trust is freely given due to connected bond and understanding that a respect-filled home provides.  Kids who feel heard naturally feel valued and loved for who they are not who they are expected to be.  

This is where you begin building and creating your community.  Living this way bravely allows you to draw others to you who want this for their families as well. 

Homeschooling is Time Consuming

 

One of the most perplexing questions I often receive about homeschooling/unschooling is:

How long does it take everyday?

Well, the easy answer is all of the time and none of the time.  

Sounds like a riddle, right?!

By all of the time, I mean your kids are always learning and it all counts.  So time spent reading reviews on Amazon counts.  Time spent discussing current events over breakfast counts.  Time spent texting friends to make arrangements to meet up counts.  Time spent in the kitchen baking all afternoon counts.  Time spent watching an engaging documentary counts.  Time spent creating digital advertising on Canvas counts.  

Reading, research, written communication, social studies, science experimenting, math, history, technical writing, critical thinking.

So yes, all the time in the day is consumed homeschooling/unschooling.  

But also, none of the time as this is time spent living with your kids.