What Will Our Homeschool Hold?

Books are the best friend of a homeschooling family.  Most people have the option of using library books, and getting excellent results.  I've discovered that often I can't find what I want or need at the library.  There is a lack of Christian books, a lack of many classics, and a lot of "twaddle".  Not all libraries are equal, but I have noticed that the smaller libraries spend their limited funds on popular fiction for kids instead of the more quality items.  Oh, there are some homework type research items.  I have found many gems in books that no one has checked out for ten or fifteen years.  Hence, the problem arises.  The books I tend to gravitate toward with my children aren't commonly checked out.  Of course I also live in a town where I am one of the few homeschoolers.

I have discovered, however, that I accrue a lot of late fees.  We just don't use a book for a couple weeks.  We often are reading several books at once and go through a book in a month or so.  One library I patronize doesn't charge me late fees for stuff I use in homeschooling.  The other one socks it to me every time I'm late.  Between the short check out times, the fees, and the lack of selection... or the waiting for the books to arrive via inter-library loan, I have realized that I can't depend on the local libraries for supplies.

That leads to a different problem.  Many of the different curriculum come book lists or book packs that can get very pricey very fast.  As much as I want to continue to use pre-packaged curricula with preplanned lessons, that isn't in the budget.  It can be very expensive to homeschool and you don't have to try very hard to reach several hundred to over a thousand dollars per child.  I want to set that amount of money aside from tax returns, but I don't see how that will be possible.

As a family that lives on one income, is trying to pay down debt, has one child in college and one on the way, spending that kind of money on homeschool materials seems irresponsible.  It may give me relief to not have to plan or worry if I am doing enough by buying an all in one curriculum, but it isn't going to happen easily.  There is too many other places the money HAS to go just so we can continue to homeschool.   Living on one income requires sacrifice, but we still have to be able to pay our utility bills and feed our family.  We've cut costs as much as possible, and it still isn't enough at this time.  There will come a time where our finances will change, but not in this economy.

So, I am researching the best ways to homeschool and how to plan it all myself.  This includes preschool activities as well as a full school year for my upcoming sixth grader.  While the preschooler could make do with lots of library books (there seems to be a great selection for her age) and lots of art supplies, the sixth grader needs more structure than that... at least a little.  She needs a quality math program that will build her skills.  She needs lots of really great books, including Christian literature and resources.  So, my plans have begun.  Heart of Dakota is wonderful, but the extra funds might not be there this year to purchase the program I truly want, even if most of it is reusable later for the three year old.  While still up in the air, I am cautiously preparing myself for a summer of planning.

I read recently that, with the exception of some good books and a program here and there, homeschooling could be nearly free with internet sources and good planning.  Unit studies, while not entirely Charlotte Mason, are a great way to homeschool on the frugal side.   I am funny about unit studies though.  I don't like them to last too long or they get boring.  I don't like to include a lot of math or grammar because it just seems to take too much work and it doesn't flow.  I like my math and grammar to be done in the Charlotte Mason method.   However, I do like that unit studies can be designed specifically for your child and what they are interested in or in what you want to cover.  You can add in the hands on as you see fit.  You can read as much or as little as you want.  The opportunities seem endless on what you can do.  It can be more book oriented if that is how your child learns best, or you can make it more project oriented.  You can even mix it up with each different study.


Many homeschoolers have been hit hard with the economy.  There may be reports that it is getting better, but I wonder how many families are like us.  My husband took a lower paying job just to have a job.  His unemployment was not going to last forever.  He's been at that job for a year, and there will be no raise due to the company having a wage freeze.  That means, while the prices of everything else continue to rise, our income does not.  That means being creative about our homeschooling choices sometimes.  That means buying what we can and setting priorities.  While I don't doubt that my daughters will receive a good education at home, I have realized that the education they receive won't look like the public school.  It won't look like other homeschooling families.  It won't look like the standard all in one curriculum advertises.  It will be one prayed through and that God designs.