As homeschoolers, we are used to being asked “why” on a regular basis — why did we decide to homeschool? It’s not a difficult question to answer, because we wouldn’t be homeschooling if we weren’t clear about why.
However, knowing your “why” is just the beginning. Your “why” helped you decide to homeschool. Deciding how to homeschool is another story.
Creating a homeschool mission statement will help you manage the many decisions that follow the decision to homeschool. Once your mission statement is established — and you, your spouse, and your children are on the same page — you can use it to guide you in evaluating decisions such as curriculum choices, teaching methods, extracurricular activities, schedules, etc. It will also help you re-prioritize when necessary.
Join me at So You Call Yourself a Homeschooler today, where I am contributing my complete post on Defining Your Homeschool Mission: It’s More Than Your “Why”
I explain why a homeschool mission statement is important, what key questions to discuss as you set out to write your homeschool mission statement, and how it can help guide you in the day-to-day journey of homeschooling. Click here for the full post.
To help you create your own homeschooling mission statement, we’ve created a free worksheet for you: Homeschool Mission Worksheet 2013, which also includes an example of the Gotcher Family’s Homeschool Mission Statement. Download it here for free: Homeschool Mission Worksheet 2013.
Have you defined your homeschool mission? If so, is it an “understanding” or is it on paper? Do your children know the details of your mission? Or are you still searching for answers to some of these questions? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
Great Post! This is a topic I need to revisit with the boys! I think our mission has changed a little in scope.
Thanks sis! 🙂
It’s so true! I feel we need to re-evaluate before we begin next year 🙂
Glad to hear this post will help you re-evaluate for next year, Rachel!
Renee
Thank you for sharing this at Tending The Home Tuesdays. I really need to utilize this in my own homeschooling! I am adding you to my favorite posts of the week on my Weekly Wrap Up tomorrow. If you like you can come grab an “I was featured” button. https://roadto31.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-homemaking-event-of-season-weekly.html
Thanks Lindsey, I’m so glad you found it helpful! I will grab your button. 🙂
Renee
Thanks for linking up with Ultimate Moms – and yes – a mission statement is very important!
It’s made this year of homeschooling so much more focused and fruitful — I’m so glad we took the time to define our mission and put it on paper!
Renée
Such an important take on this issue, Renee. I’ll be featuring this article on What’s Hot in Homeschooling next week. Even veteran homeschoolers can benefit from your advice.
Thank you Melanie! Defining our homeschool mission has made a big difference in our homeschooling.
Renée