Homeschool curriculum can be very expensive when you are living on a strict budget.
For the last two years, I have tried to get by with as little expense as possible. I would skip buying the teacher’s guide or look for free resources online to supplement what I had purchased instead of buying the recommended materials. I was writing lesson plans myself and trying to pull resources together from all over.
The problem… I was burning out.
Planning was taking weeks and weeks and I was still falling behind. My frustration was spilling over into our school time because by the time I was teaching a lesson, I was tired of it.
I think it is completely possible to homeschool for free and I know that many people are successful at it, but for me, it was incredibly stressful and not worth the money I was saving. Plus, once I considered how much I was paying for paper and ink to make print materials and the amount of time I sacrificed, I don’t think I saved that much.
So, this year I am changing my mindset. As I review homeschool curriculum and consider the resources available, I am viewing our purchases as an investment.
Purchasing homeschool curriculum is an investment in our children.
Why did Bill and I decide that homeschooling was the best option for our family? In part, the answer is that we wanted what was best for our children. If I think about that statement in its entirety, how can I suddenly decide that they are not worth the money necessary to purchase the materials I need to educate them?
Now, I have no plans on going crazy and purchasing a lot of stuff unnecessarily. I can still shop smart and make wise choices, but instead of doing so with the intention of barely getting the things we need, I will be a good steward of not just our finances but also my time.
Speaking of…
Purchasing homeschool curriculum is an investment in me.
As a mother, I sacrifice almost constantly. (I love it.) However, a part of being a mother is knowing how to delegate so that you can achieve a little more balance. (You never achieve a perfect balance… If you have, please tell me your secrets.) In order to keep my sanity secure and to give me a little more time in the day to tackle more pressing matters, I am leaving the curriculum planning to the fabulous companies who get paid to pull it all together.
Again, I cannot stress enough that homeschooling for free works for some families. The parents are amazing at pulling everything together and presenting it in a very educational way. It just didn’t work for me.
I only buy material that comes with lesson plans. I don’t mind finding supplemental activities or material on my own, but overall I do much better with a lesson manual. I do still adapt to our own needs, and cut out activities if I don’t feel they really hold much value. I think doing all of my own lesson planning is to stressful. We tend to purchase our materials with our income tax return…a lot of places have sales coinciding with tax return season I have noticed…and save it until we finish up what we are working on.
We do the same thing! (Purchase with our tax refund.) Typically, that is the first priority when the IRS sends that refund and that is so true about the homeschool sales in March & April. Speaking of, I need to get our taxes done ASAP. 🙂
I made the decision to start homeschooling this school year coming up. I’ve read both stories about trying to homeschool as cheaply as possible AND the people who also choose to buy curriculum to see which would be best for me. I am one who needs structure, schedules and everything to be in order & put together. I feel like for me, I will start out with full curriculum packages & maybe over time *if I feel ok with it* try to more on my own.
Congratulations, Jacqueline, on the decision to homeschool! I think you will find it awesome although not every day will be rosy. It is so worth it.
Very wise to look for other opinions too. I will say that it is easier to go without the additional resources when the children are young. As they grow, it gets harder.
Just found your website and I sooo agree with you with changing up your workboxes and about investing on a curriculum… I sooo can relate to your experience and also sooo can relate because I have 3 boys and a girl (ages 8, 6, 4 and 2).
I am just happy, I am not alone in this world with my struggles…
Thanks you have blessed me in a special way today. wink.
Never alone. I love that the internet can connect us. There is no need for homeschooling mothers to suffer. 🙂
Funny that I should come across your blog and read this post shortly after I posted on my own journey to curriculum or not. I would love a curriculum but I find that it won’t work for my son (at least my oldest at 4) and only time will tell about my second (18 months). I decided shortly after my first was born (like a couple weeks) that I wanted to homeschool and at this point in our lives (and likely for a number of years to come) we are going to follow an unschooling philosophy. Though we are blessed with a farm and business and my boys are very involved in it all.
Here is my post on “Curriculum or Not?” http://aimedattheheart.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/curriculum-or-not/
Hi Tessa! Thanks for stopping by. I’m so glad you found me and I look forward to getting to know you better.
At 4 years and 18 months, I agree that curriculum is just not necessary. I am able to cover all the major needs through daily living and play with our younger children. I also use some of the free printables available at other great homeschool blogs.
Unschooling is a great method at any age. I have several friends who love the unschooling style. 🙂
I don’t currently HS…I would love to but with five kids it overwhelms me. I’ve researched it for years now and I know a few people that do and love it. I actually bought (Rod and Staff) curriculum a few years ago and was so excited because “I was gonna really do this!”…BUT… I quickly got overwhelmed and decided to send them back to Public schools… I often regret having given up. I do wish I had, had more support at that point because I think it would’ve worked had I stuck it out. I also think that having the right curriculum is KEY! Rod and Staff was NOT for us…very boring and not easy to follow for ME… The kids hated it. Four of my five children still would like to HS… I just don’t know how to convince myself I CAN DO THIS or my husband that I WILL STICK TO IT…
I decided to homeschool this year very last minute. I DIDNT even know you could buy your curriculum!!?? I wrote everything up by researching but to be honest I am not that thrilled. Where and how do you “buy” curriculum?? I have bought some lesson books to supplement some online stuff…..but I am curious now about this buying of curriculum!!!! This is the hardest job Ive ever had..and I use to be a school librarian! thanks!
The best homeschool curriculum is available online by different companies but if I had to pick one central location for you, I would recommend Christian Book Distributors at CBD.com.
Hi, I am just starting to consider homeschooling my 5 (almost 6) year old daughter. I am pregnant with our second daughter now. My daughter just started Kindergarten at the local public school just two weeks ago…sadly she has a ton of anxiety in regards to going to school, she has so much fun once she is there but I can’t manage to get her inside. In the last few days she has worked herself up to the point where she is vomiting…I just don’t think its worth stressing her out so much every day when I can teach her at home.
I am looking for some insight I guess, I definitely want to get started soon…just not quite sure where to start…
I’m sorry my name is Jennifer Weidele…don’t know where the rest came from lol
The best place to start is with the laws in your state. You need to know what is required. The HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association) is an excellent resource. 🙂
This was incredibly helpful to read and timely as our homeschool conference is in 2 weeks and I’ve been leaning toward a box curriculum for next year. I have also decided that next year I will buy the answer keys, as I was burnt out correcting every paper in a rush the week that I had to turn grades in. What’s funny is that in my circle of homeschool moms, there’s a stigma in using a boxed curriculum. I think it will help my sanity as we’re throwing another kid into the mix:)
And your sanity is much more important than worrying over what others will think. 😉 Best wishes.
I LOVE building our homeschool curriculum! I only have one elementary age child, so it’s not as stressful as someone who has 3 or 6 kids, but I love the challenge of piecing everything together. I do NOT do my own curriculum because I do not feel my child is worth the “investment” of an already made/store bought curriculum, but because I am not schooling at home, but homeschooling. I have more control and flexibility over what and how the info is presented to my child. I think my biggest investment I can give to my child where education is concerned is my time. I use Rebecca Rupp’s Home Learning Year by Year as a guide to know what’s expected and guide us in our lesson plans for the year. I do see utilizing a math curriculum when he gets in the higher grades (Lord willing we are still homeschooling.) Meanwhile, my plan, at the moment, (and all homeschoolers know how fleeting that can be,) is to continue to build and plan our studies and try to enjoy the homeschooling experience.