Top 10 Resolutions for Your Homeshool
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Resolutions aren’t only for New Years, you know. Many of us will be spending the summer months, or at least some portion of it, getting geared up for a new school year in the fall. So if you find yourself in that mode, read on!
Many people typically fall into one of two camps regarding resolutions. There are those who don’t even make the effort – usually because they’re afraid of failure. You know, “I’m only going to drop them in a month, so why bother?” And then there’s the firm, consistent, "I even write them down" camp. I have to admit I’ve been on both sides – but as things the kids get older and things get added to my plate, I tend to be more in the latter group!
Here, then, are my top 10 Resolutions for your Homeschool.
#10 – This year, I will make some Resolutions! “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.” And your children’s education is too important to accept failure. Most importantly, write them down so you can review, revisit and revamp them (if necessary) throughout the year.
#9 – I will spend some time to create a vision for our homeschool. Arrange to get away with your spouse for at least an afternoon (a day is better and a whole weekend would be ideal!). Think and talk about how education fits into the big picture of your family-life.
#8 – I will develop a plan of action. This directly stems from #9, above. What educational goals do you have for your kids? Take some time early in the year to talk about this with your spouse, and then plan on how/when to assess these during the year. What has to happen to reach those goals? Then break it down into monthly, weekly and (if you’re really compulsive!) daily steps.
#7 – I will get a handle on finances. Take some time to keep track of your money! Set up a simple filing system, establish a spreadsheet, whatever it takes that will make it easy for you to keep track of things. If you’re a bookaholic like me, it’ll be really easy to overspend and then discover that there’s no money left when you find something you really need mid-year.
#6 – I will take some time to continue my education. The recipe for success is “brains and motivation”. Motivation comes from completing #9, but our brains always need to be developing as well. Are there 2 or 3 areas that would improve your homeschooling efforts with a little more education? There’s always lots of potential for improvement while we’re alive! CAUTION: even if you can come up with a list of a dozen items, only pick 2 or 3 to start the year. It is SO easy to get frozen with information overload – I’ve been there!!
#5 – I will develop an organization system that works for me. Perhaps you’re not the “organized type”. What does that mean, really? Being organized just means 2 things: you can find what you want when you want it, and you can meet deadlines (like grading papers or paying bills). My husband loves his piles, but is very organized. There’s tons of help out there (websites and books) to help you get organized, but if you like your piles, this pile cabinet system I came across recently may be just what you need!
#4 – I will put together a realistic schedule. This is related to #8, but is much more detailed, and not something you would necessarily do just because you’ve got a big picture plan of action. Get out a piece of paper and think about all the daily responsibilities you have. Write them all down and block out time for each. Then talk it over with your family, tweak and review, and when you’ve completed it, post it somewhere that you’ll see it!
#3 – I will find someone to be accountable to regarding my resolutions. This could be your spouse or other family member, but it could also be a fellow homeschooler. Sometimes it’s easier to be accountable to someone other than family, because when you’re not quite working up to speed it’s possible that your school issues can get in the way of those other relationships.
#2 – I will try something new this year. Spice up the new year with something a bit different. Add a new skill, subject or short unit study that you might not normally do. Or pull out something you’ve bought awhile back and never used! Just make sure that it stays “in-sync” with your big picture (see #9).
#1 – I will do a daily attitude check! There is nothing more attractive to people than gratitude. I always say “If you don’t know what to say, say “Thank you”!” – you can’t lose. And in this "hurry up" society we live in, gratitude and conveyed appreciation are usually the first things to go. So an attitude of gratitude will definitely make you stand out. If necessary, keep an often-updated list for yourself of what you can be thankful for – people, situations, successes as well as challenges, perceived failures and difficult situations or people in your life. We can learn and grow from everything that’s put before us – if we allow ourselves to. And what a great life lesson for our kids.
Resolutions can be a way of setting the bar higher in our lives. Our homeschools and our families are sure to benefit in the long run.
Pat Fenner offers encouragement to homeschoolers at Help-4-Your-Homeschool.com. For monthly doses of encouragement, inspiration and ideas, sign up for her free newsletter “Sparks for the Flame”.
