Is there "Behind" in Homeschool? | Easy Tips to "Catch Up"

The most significant homeschooling risk I took was when I 

received the results from testing, looked over my child's IEP and intervention needed, and decided to forgo the public school's help and homeschool them myself. 

I decided to take the risk because I knew my child best and understood the simple game plan of meeting them where they were and giving them the resources and encouragement to advance their skills one step at a time.

Sometimes homeschooling can feel like eating an elephant, but how do you do it? One bite at a time. There is no unique formula or shortcut; it's just consistency, dedication, patience, and proper framing of your role. 

Your role is not to impress your friends with how smart your kids are. 

Your part is not to jump through hoops to magnify the area your children shine in (that will more or less take care of itself with little help); your role is to help them with their weaknesses because that holds them back. 

Things were not all smooth sailing, though.

At that point, I felt terrified, but I was determined to take this risk.

Could RC work with someone with special needs? How could it not? It focuses on the basics, and that's what they need. 

So what happened after that?

Years later, a few things happened after I took this homeschooling risk.

• This past weekend at a church event, a youth group leader told me that my child, considered "special needs," is the best kid in the group. He listens, is quiet, respectful, and does the reading/work. They told me he is a true joy to be around and "teach." 
• Mostly, they can do math independently; I am there to ask questions and guide them.
•  They can express their ideas through writing without fighting and read books from the late 1800's-early 1900s along with Dog Man books. 
• They are respectful, helpful, and honestly, a true joy to parent. 

Because I took the risk of exiting traditional schooling and relying on a simple method, I am proud of the road we have walked hand in hand. Although it has not always been easy, and tears have been shed occasionally, it was a refiners fire for us. The lesson we have realized together is, "where there is a will, there is a way." 

I shared this with you because I want you to know that homeschooling a special needs kid can take a lot of patience, sweat, and tears… So don't feel discouraged if things aren't going how you want them to now! Have your simple game plan, work on it one bite at a time and remember the name of the game is the study habits established; those personal standards will make up the gap in the areas you worry you lack.

Is there any risk you have to take that requires you to get out of your comfort zone today?

Let's do this together. 

Signing off,

Karen R.