5 Ways to Become Confident in Your Homeschooling Journey

Are you concerned that your homeschooling journey is too different? Are you worried because it doesn’t match the homeschooling content that you see on social media? What if your homeschooler won’t graduate? What if they fall behind, and it will be your fault? Often, homeschooling parents can deal with these insecurities. But I’m here to tell you something…the secret to homeschooling is BEING DIFFERENT. 

That’s the beauty of homeschooling and alternative education. It doesn’t have to match anyone else or look a certain way. It can be yours. Our lives are all different, so why can’t homeschooling be individualized and different? After all, homeschooling advertises flexibility and adaptability. 

Today, I’ve listed a few ways that can help you shift your mindset from a place of judgment or insecurity to a place of confidence and strength. 

• Allow your journey to be different. 
• Use flexibility and adaptability. 
• Welcome different learning experiences. 
• Remind yourself that social media can become a comparison trap. 
• Live and experience.

Your Journey

As you realize your mindset may be negative or you may be beating yourself up, take time to pause. Take a breath and go outside. Take note of your surroundings and try to be present. 

Now, allow your journey to be different. If you need to try a different homeschooling method or teach to your child’s specific learning style, try to work on practicing openness. It’s okay if it looks different. It’s okay if your child learns better while jumping around or through physical activities. It’s okay if you need to use a creative approach like unschooling or a Charlotte Mason style. Let your journey be your journey. 

Next, practice flexibility and adaptability. Switch out a curriculum that doesn’t work for your family, even if other people like it. Take time to find your specific learning rhythms and tools. No matter what works for other homeschoolers, find what works for you. If you need to adapt lessons for your child, try something different to help them. Homeschooling is about meeting individual needs through flexibility and adaptability. Take time to figure out what works best for you. 

Continuing, welcome different learning experiences. If your child learns better through field trips or outdoor activities, pivot to those learning activities. Some days, you may just need to take a break from bookwork, so instead, try watching a fun movie and making memories. 

Also, remind yourself that social media is a comparison trap. It’s easy to get caught up in other people’s lives and how amazing they look. But remember, this is your journey. You can choose what works best and discard what doesn’t work. Take a break from social media if you feel caught in the trap. 

Finally, get outside and live! Connect with people, go on trips, and dive into new opportunities. This creates a broader worldview and changes perspectives. If you’re worried about your homeschooling journey, I suggest getting outside and living. Experience life and live! This will shift your mindset and renew your heart. 

Interestingly, David, J (his brother) and I all learned in different ways. The Nxt Era founders learned through FLVS and online learning. I learned well through physical bookwork and lots of reading. Nonetheless, we all developed strong values, moral traits, and individualized interests. No matter how we learned, homeschooling taught us to be true to ourselves and our families. 

Conclusion

Pause. Step away from social media. Go outside if you want. Experience something new with your kids. Remind yourself that it’s okay if your journey looks different. Our journeys looked different when we were homeschooled, and we all developed into successful human beings. You are capable, and it’s okay to be different. After all, the sole purpose of homeschooling is to be different in a world that pushes us to become the same. You’re creating children who will become changemakers and passionate individuals. At Nxt Era, we believe different = cool. 

Click the link to learn more!

- NxtEra

Written by Bethany (@thebookwormgirl_bethany)