Homeschool Mission Statements (things to remember on the hard days)

     As we move into a new school year we see so many inspiring things that other homeschoolers are doing.  A million curriculum choices, incredible plans, must-have planners, inspiring ideas.  So many voices. So many choices.  And there are other voices out there too, wonderful friends who have a different schooling journey with kids in public or private school.  
     When surrounded by so many voices and opinions it is easy to begin to question what you are doing, and even WHY you are doing it.  I have no idea what the best curriculum is for you. Or the best plan for your family.  I have no idea if you should loop schedule, have morning time or unschool.  Whether you should put your kids in a co-op or maybe join a nature group.  
     What I do know is that your little tribe was given to you because God knew that YOU were the parent and educator they needed.  He doesn't make mistakes.  You know yourself and your children better than anyone else on the planet.  You are the number one expert on your people! And while the homeschool community might have LOTS of ideas and words and products, they do not know nor love your children like you do.  
     There is one thing I believe every homeschool parent should consider; making a mission statement for their school.  A simple mission statement, a few core questions for those hard times, and statement to remember that pulls it all together and points to the core reason you are doing this homeschooling thing.  Taking the time to pray over, contemplate and put it to words will absolutely help you focus in on what is important to your people and let go of the comparison game.  When I'm feeling doubt or fear or judgment, flipping open my little planner and reading over our mission statement reminds me of who I'm doing this for and why.  Ours is simple and it has our ridiculous school name at the top.  It doesn't have to be anything fancy or full of prose.  My reflection questions came from the book For the Children's Sake, by Susan Schaeffer Maculay.  It is a wonderfully encouraging education book.  
     If you make a Homeschool Mission Statement, I'd love to read it in the comments! It has truly made a shift (for the better) in my own vision for our homeschool.  Here is ours:

My Journey to The Sweet Spot

     Last year was my first year as a homeschooling mom. My kids had been in public school (my oldest from 1st to 5th grade) and we had a great public school experience. Wonderful teachers, fabulous school friends. My son would be heading to middle school and my daughter into 3rd grade. That year I had been on the PTA board and spent lots of time at their school, but very little time actually with my kids. Our evenings were a tangle of homework and have-tos. And I felt like we were all getting the worst scraps of each other left from busy and over-scheduled days. We pondered over middle school and what would be best for my son. Our house was on the market and were not sure which school district we would land in. My son was accepted at a nearby charter school and we were excited. And then, I just wasn't. I had no peace about it. My intuition said "Nope". At first I thought it was just me being a worrier, my own head. I prayed for wisdom. 
      On awards day, my son received a cumulative award for maintaining an A average for all of elementary school. As we filed into the cafeteria and took our seats, the principal of the charter middle school where my son was accepted sat down next to us. His son was also at our school. There were several kids receiving the same award as my son. When they stood, the charter school principal leaned over to me and said "Well, tell your son he better enjoy this award, because next year is going to be a different ballgame." I said with a smile, "Ha, yes I am sure it will be more rigorous." Then he began to talk about the homework, the competition, the stress and expectations that next year would bring. And I thought, this is no coincidence. There is a reason for this encounter. And I prayed some more. I thought about my son, his personality and how he internalized stress. I thought about our move and having 2 kids at 2 new schools. I thought about how my daughter worships her brother and how hard it would be for her to start a new school in a new place and not have him there. 
     Then suddenly, a thought: "You could homeschool Aimee, then it would not matter where you moved. YOU could decide what matters in your childrens' educations. You could decide what is important. You know them better than anyone apart from God and you can do this."
      And just like that, there was a HUGE pivot in our family. And we are such the better for it. So what does Our homeschool look like? For us it looks like books and chaos most days. Like messes, laughter and tears, like walks in the afternoon and trampoline breaks. Like me in my sweatpants, sometimes all day. It looks like not comparing our goals to others. It often looks like not caring what others think. It looks like surrender and drawing near. And did I say messes?? If I learned one thing last year in my pioneer year as a homeschool mom it was this:

 All that I set out to do in our homeschool flows from this hope: 

That we were made in the image of God.  

That our family was knit together for a purpose.  

That He has created an incredible world for us to learn about with enthusiasm and in grace for as long as He allows.  

I'd love to hear about your journey to homeschooling! 

Aimee