Last year, I went through a serious case of homeschooling burnout. I was working, I was going to college full-time, and I was attempting to homeschool my three oldest children. And it was not going well.
I sent them to public school for a few months, but even though I appreciated the slight increase in “alone time“, I missed them terribly. And I found that I actually missed homeschooling.
Now that we’ve returned to homeschooling, I’m determined to have a more thankful attitude toward our learning this year by appreciating the homeschooling gifts our family enjoys by being together. Here are 10 of the homeschooling gifts that I missed and vow to never take for granted again.
Image: beerphotographer / Dollar Photo Club
10 Homeschooling Gifts I’ll Never Take for Granted Again
1. Preparing breakfast with my children
2. Making artwork together
3. Playing outside with my kids
4. Sharing a new story as a family
5. Taking a homeschool field trip
6. Listening to my children talk about what they learned
7. Watching all four of the kids read quietly
8. Helping my daughter (who hates math) master a new math concept
9. Seeing my kids get excited about choosing books at the library
10. Hearing one of my children say “Thank you” when we finish the school day
What homeschooling gifts are you thankful for? Share them in the comments!
And let me just add an update here – There are a few more homeschooling gifts that I’ve grown to treasure:
11. Watching my children support each other in a tough subject
12. Being there when they have questions or fears about learning something new
13. Waking up when we feel like it and beginning the day relaxed
14. Taking a vacation whenever we’re ready for one
15. Observing my kids grow into young adulthood with confidence
Need more parenting encouragement? Don’t miss these posts!
This post is part of the Homeschool Gifts linkup from iHomeschool Network! Click over to read what our fellow homeschooling bloggers are thankful for this year!
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If I had the patience I could do homeschool but I know I couldn’t do it my kids would learn new cuss words on a daily lol. Love that you went back to what you loved though that’s important.
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Such a blessing to be able to stay at home with them and then have such a powerful and positive influence on them. Also being able to watch them blossom everyday….I have a 23yr old who my sister home schooled but I worked full-time so I feel like I missed half of her childhood and it goes by like a blink of an eye and then they are on their own and busy with their own families
It definitely is a blessing. I didn’t really realize that until I sent my kids to PS and got consumed with work and school. Things were so much easier (hectic at times), but still easier and more relaxed overall when they were at home with me.
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While I will have one kid going back to public school this year, this summer has reminded me how nice it was to have a more relaxed schedule for the kids and myself. I am not looking forward to waking up at 6:30 again! But my older son loves school, so he will go until 7th grade if he wants. And my younger son will be going to a Montessori preschool for as long as possible (she says thru 6 years old, so does that mean until he is 7?! lol) and then will be at home while baby sis goes to the preschool. I am looking forward to having some alone time with my oldest, my 12 year old daughter. She is such an amazing person, but easily stressed and high anxiety. Looking forward to watching her chill out and grow up.
I have to say: A Montessori preschool sounds amazing! 🙂 And it’s wonderful to share mother and daughter time, especially during those years. Our oldest daughter is almost 11 and she also tends to be anxious, especially since she has ADHD. Homeschooling is definitely the best choice for her.
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I think a great gift is getting to actually know who my kids are! Plus, I feel like I am giving THEM the gift of a real parent and a real education. 🙂 Loved your list!
I would never trade the excitement of a child grasping a concept they struggled with.
So true! I would add snuggling on the couch mid-day reading together. LOVE homeschooling. I’m so glad you found your way and are most likely a better mom and teacher for it. Congrats!
I love when they spontaneously go off and implement learning. They used divisions rather than scales to work out how much butter to use in cookies. As a team. It made me remember how much they love learning and using the knowledge.
My eldest boy has learning difficulties and I love the lightbulb moment when I have shown him a thing in about 20 ways and I finally get thr right one. He lights up and glows. I love, love, love that.
I love how we can do science all day on Tuesday. I love how they do the curriculum things and then want to do their own experiments.
I love finding out what they love.
I love opening the blind in my big boys room in my pjs and seeing the school run we are not in.