Begin as you mean to go...

Getting started

It’s that time of the year again when we get ready to begin a new school year  with our children. This year, things may look a little different for your family, which is why it is even more important to start with a firm foundation. Today I wanted to share with you how I get organized before our first day of school.

Write down the vision

When anyone asks me how to get started with homeschooling, my answer is always the same, start with a vision! In Luke 14:28 Jesus tells his disciples: “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” Without a vision, we are setting ourselves up for failure. We must ask the Lord to show us what exactly should be the goal of our parenting and instruction during the years we have them at home with us.  

How exactly do I develop a vision for my school?

Before I began homeschooling my twins in 2013, I sat down with my husband and we discussed what kind of people we wanted our children to be and what we wanted them to know before they left our home. I came across a template by Erica Arndt from the Confessions of a Homeschooler blog that helped get us started (I still refer to it!!) I have adapted her template and added a few more questions of my own for you to download and help get you started. (If you prefer the document in Spanish, see page 2).

Stay the course

Now that our twins are ten years old and our youngest is seven, we can see the fruit of defining what we wanted for them early on in their schooling. We are seeing the vision come alive before our eyes! Friends, count the cost, write the vision. Then stay the course and trust God. He will give you the grace and strength to teach your children diligently. Remember that your competence comes from God. (2 Corinthians 3:5).

Stay tuned for the next post when I will share with you another simple template that has helped me define specific goals for each of my children.