An Encouragement to Homeschool Parents

Whether you are new to the journey of home education or not, the beginning of the school year can bring up mixed emotions.

If this is your first year, you can do this.

Remember, you chose the homeschool path for a reason, and always keep that reason at the forefront of your mind. You may be used to taking pictures on the first day of school each year, the hustle and bustle of buying new outfits, meeting the teachers, visiting classrooms. But this year, you don’t have those clear-cut, new school year plans.

If you have been homeschooling for a while, you are familiar with the joy of finding better curriculum fits for your children (and you!), and the nervous excitement of executing all of your well thought out plans. If you are new, you might look at those social media first day pictures from your friends and family in traditional school with some sadness because you feel like you are no longer a part of that. Your family might be upset that they don’t get first day pictures of their grandchildren, nieces, or nephews like they are used to seeing and sharing. But guess what? Just because you are homeschooling does not mean that you can’t have first day traditions of your own!

Freedom of Homeschool

You can still take first day of school pictures! Dress your kids up (or don’t) and document your first day. Start a new tradition for your family! Go on a field trip or go out for a special treat after schoolwork is done on the first day each year. If you are part of a co-op, ask your leaders if they could put on a homeschool picture day like they would likely have at a traditional school. The Cincinnati homeschool community is full of talented photographers that would be more than happy to provide their services for that occasion. 

The beautiful part of homeschooling is that outside of legal obligations, you are completely in charge of what your journey looks like. Feel free to embrace whatever makes your homeschool original. You aren’t giving up anything by home educating; you are giving you and your children the freedom to create the educational experience that works best for everyone. Best wishes to you as you begin or continue homeschooling this year!

Signed,

A homeschool Mama to 5