Homeschooling the First Year: Setting First Year Goals

by Craig Quimby

With all of the brand new homeschooling decisions – choosing curriculum, organizing and decorating our spaces, finding new friends, etc. – it would be easy to lose sight of what is important. And I’m not talking about memorizing math facts or perfecting handwriting. We need to learn what homeschooling means to us. I tried writing a mission statement, but the task felt daunting. I can’t think much past next month, much less about some overarching philosophy that can carry us through high school, but I need something to keep my priorities in order. Goals sounded much more doable.

When I scribbled a quick list of goals I had in mind for our first year, I soon realized that I didn’t include one academic item on my list. That spoke volumes. I know my daughter will learn more than she would in school, so it makes sense that academics shouldn’t be an issue. Do I take them seriously? Of course. But I must remind myself that they are not the focus this year.

To keep that focus, I plan to post (maybe even frame) this list of goals to remind me of our priorities during those crazy weeks when I stress a little too much over French pronouns or lists of foreign rulers. Hopefully just seeing this list on those days will help set me back on the right track.

First Year Homescholing Goals

Build a bin and start composting – We really should have started this a long time ago, and building a bin is on the top of my to-do list this fall. I can’t wait to show the girls how much doesn’t have to go in the garbage.

Plant fall and spring gardens – We all miss having an herb garden, and the girls love the idea of tending their own garden and picking their own food for dinner.

Develop daily and weekly routines – I struggle with routines, but the kids thrive on them. This will be my biggest challenge, but I imagine it will provide the greatest reward if I can manage some sort of order to our days and weeks.

Practice flexibility – I’m not referring to our family yoga time here. We all need to learn to chill out, kick back, and just have fun now and then. Also, things change constantly around here. The girls need to be able to deal with that if they’re both going to be home every day.

Develop better relationships – The ultimate goal this year is to gain a deeper understanding of each other and grow in our respect and caring for one another. Even if this is all we accomplish in our first year, then I will still consider the year an enormous success.

Michelle is a wife, mother, writer, and Cajun who prefers everything extra spicy. Follow along at Lagniappe Academy, as she and her two girls try to remember that the most important thing they can do this year is love one another.

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Tagged as: family, first year, goals, planning, relationships, routine