One week ago I was compiling the weekly homeschool roundup.
Today I am advising people to stop homeschooling the children.
Our world literally changed overnight; the segment of the population that probably feel that most intensely are the children.
Have you seen the memes going around about parents who have been thrust into homeschooling because the schools are closed? What about the new hashtag - #suddenlyhomeschoolers ?
Has this hit anyone else as strange? Does it make your heart hurt not only for the children whose regular school schedule has been torn out from underneath them, but also for those of us who have been home educating for a long time?
The homeschool blogging community was quick to jump in to help people who found themselves at home with their children. This is what we do. We help people.
I think in those efforts, however, something is being done to the definition of homeschooling, and unrealistic and unfair pressure is being put on so many parents.
Stop Homeschooling the Children
Yesterday I sat down and shared my heart on video (Watch it here - I feel like I express myself best this way!)
The response was overwhelming. So many people messaged me to virtually nod their heads in agreement. Stop Homeschooling the Children!
Homeschooling is NOT school at home.
Sitting down with a pile of work assigned from the school is NOT homeschooling.
We know that homeschool is a lifestyle of learning, not replicating a “school” environment at home. It takes a period of time for children who have been in school (it’s called deschooling) to see their parents as an educational figure - to develop that relationship of shared inquisitiveness and lifelong learning.
Let’s be very careful. The definition of homeschool matters, and it is quickly being redefined by an entire country - with the help of the homeschool community.
Children don’t need schoolwork now.
Children need love, stability, and safety. They need games, books, movies, walks outside, laughter, art, and music.
I’ve seen so many parents who are feeling stressed because the school is “requiring” work to be completed during this time. This just breaks my heart. These are YOUR CHILDREN. Stick up for them. Do what is best for them.
What is best for our children right now isn’t assuming the stress of “getting it all done for when we go back to school”.
The question of whether online schooling now is even legal is being raised.
Parents need grace and support.
If you know someone who is suddenly in the position of not going to their job and staying home with their school-age children all day, encourage them the best you can. Offer up ideas that have worked with your children. Loan them your favorite read alouds, games, and educational toys.
Point them to resources online that can keep their children busy and exposed to things of beauty at the same time.
I put a free SQUILT LIVE! lesson on Facebook last Wednesday and it was a huge success. Parents could take a break and their children could have some fun and maybe learn something, too. Did you see that Andrew Peterson is doing a nightly read-aloud of the first book in his Wingfeather Saga?
What About Homeschooling For Homeschoolers?
We have an entire layer of normal now that many other families don’t have, right?
This isn’t new to us. We’re used to being at home with our kids. But even this situation is different. We’re stuck inside, co-ops are canceled, our children are feeling isolated, and nerves are getting frayed.
I would suggest we give ourselves and our children loads of grace during this time, too.
My husband is teaching my son his way around the kitchen. My daughter and I are taking up watercolors using this fun book.
We’re watching mindless, funny movies. I’m reading a ton of books. My son is taking apart his LEGO sets and building new creations.
I’m praying for our world right now.
I’m specifically praying for the children - and all of us in this Homegrown Learners community. We’ve been through a lot together on this blog, and we will get through this, too.
Grace. Patience. Humor. Perseverance. Prayer.
And remember - be careful of how you throw around the word HOMESCHOOL!
How are you feeling right now? Let’s talk about this in the comments below.
I so value your thoughts.
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