Summer is almost here. April and May have been whirlwind months in my house hold – year end concerts and recitals, culminating projects from a semester’s worth of work and now EXAMS. We spent April mapping out for our highschoolers what their last few years at home would look like and what classes we’d like to take in the community through co-ops, VWCC dual enrollment, on line courses and from dear old mom. This time of year always feels like a look backward and a look forward at the same time. It is the time to sell books that you’re finally done using after teaching 5 kids! And a time to look for that elusive new resource that will re-energize your history studies or your science teaching. I have really found that my planning for the coming year really starts now! It is an intense time as homeschool mothers as we are encouraging our kids to keep up the good work until the end but also considering what needs to take place in the remaining highschool years to get them to the finish line.
The first time I did this with my oldest son – we were overly intense and had all four years mapped out on the couch with him as an 8th grader. But I must say that first planning session brought much fruit. We knew where were headed with him for the most part from that point on. And what really remained was the task of finding the right classes or materials and completing the work: the real hard part! Each of my highschoolers has been unique – a political science guy, an engineer participating in the VWCC Regional Engineering Academy and a future business man who has begun working part time to taste and see what small business really looks like. They have not followed a cookie cutter pathway of each other in any way!
Bottom line – highschool planning has to be bathed in prayer. I have spent more time praying the longer I have homeschooled and God has proven Himself to be my faithful guide. Once again this spring we have had some “AH -HAH” moments, where we have been drawn to a particular plan for each of our kids coursework that could have only come about by the hand of God. Give your planning to God and walk in faith by preparing carefully for these important years ahead. This is not the time to be impulsive but purposeful in laying out your teenager highschool years. The work of planning and the work of prayer will pay off.
