Our family had never set a formal vision statement for our homeschool. We always had plans. We currently have goals. But we have never written out a specific vision to guide those plans and goals. Is it necessary? There are a lot of companies that produce great curriculum. Tons. There are a lot of people that share their opinions on what a day of homeschooling should look like. But the beauty and freedom of homeschooling is that no two families will walk this road in the same way. And in order to know what your road might look like, praying for a clear vision and purpose from God for your homeschool is imperative. That vision and purpose for your homeschool is your homeschool vision statement.
Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law. Proverbs 29:18
Having a concrete, written vision for my homeschool is important to me for three reasons:
In Proverbs 29:18, there is clear reasoning for having a vision. The lack of vision or goals only leads to unrestraint. We see the product of that every time we read the news or go to the mall. Our society is excellent at lacking restraint and that is exactly the opposite of what I believe God wants for His children. Many of us homeschool because we want the option of teaching our children of God and His ways, right along with reading and algebra. When we use this wisdom from Proverbs, we see that having a vision for our homeschool can help us teach our children restraint and how the laws of God are for their good. These are lessons that will serve them well for all their days.
It’s like a guardrail for your homeschool. This is where we are going and that will clearly help us get there. When you have an end goal, a vision, a concept of where you’re going with homeschooling, it’s a bit easier to wade through the plethora of curriculum choices and opinions out there. It also makes decisions about extracurricular activities easier. Ask your family: Does this fall in line with our homeschool vision? Will this activity support the goals of our homeschool vision?
our goal as a homeschool family is not just to educate them on their math facts and some historic dates. We want to educate them to be well-rounded and intelligent people. If our goal is going to be to teach more than facts, then what is it that we want them to learn? Do you want your children to study theology? Are you laser focused on math? Is teaching your child to be a strong writer of highest importance to you? Maybe it’s politics and the deep history of our country. It can be a million things. What matters is that it’s important to you and to why you homeschool.
When you’ve fleshed out these questions and ideas, there is one more step before you can write your homeschool vision statement. Prayer. I firmly believe that God cares about even the smallest details of our lives, just as He cares for our children’s lives (Luke 12:6-7). Of course He wants to impart to us wisdom and clarity about what we should be teaching in our homeschool!
Write a vision statement for your homeschool. Print it, frame it, hang it on the wall in your school area. Read it to your children, so they understand why you are teaching them at home. Use it as a tool to remind yourself that every homeschool is unique and God will guide your unique path each and every day.
Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law. Proverbs 29:18
Having a concrete, written vision for my homeschool is important to me for three reasons:
First, it’s Biblical.
In Proverbs 29:18, there is clear reasoning for having a vision. The lack of vision or goals only leads to unrestraint. We see the product of that every time we read the news or go to the mall. Our society is excellent at lacking restraint and that is exactly the opposite of what I believe God wants for His children. Many of us homeschool because we want the option of teaching our children of God and His ways, right along with reading and algebra. When we use this wisdom from Proverbs, we see that having a vision for our homeschool can help us teach our children restraint and how the laws of God are for their good. These are lessons that will serve them well for all their days.
Second, it helps you make decisions.
It’s like a guardrail for your homeschool. This is where we are going and that will clearly help us get there. When you have an end goal, a vision, a concept of where you’re going with homeschooling, it’s a bit easier to wade through the plethora of curriculum choices and opinions out there. It also makes decisions about extracurricular activities easier. Ask your family: Does this fall in line with our homeschool vision? Will this activity support the goals of our homeschool vision?
Third, it gives you goals.
our goal as a homeschool family is not just to educate them on their math facts and some historic dates. We want to educate them to be well-rounded and intelligent people. If our goal is going to be to teach more than facts, then what is it that we want them to learn? Do you want your children to study theology? Are you laser focused on math? Is teaching your child to be a strong writer of highest importance to you? Maybe it’s politics and the deep history of our country. It can be a million things. What matters is that it’s important to you and to why you homeschool.
Pray
When you’ve fleshed out these questions and ideas, there is one more step before you can write your homeschool vision statement. Prayer. I firmly believe that God cares about even the smallest details of our lives, just as He cares for our children’s lives (Luke 12:6-7). Of course He wants to impart to us wisdom and clarity about what we should be teaching in our homeschool!
Write a vision statement for your homeschool. Print it, frame it, hang it on the wall in your school area. Read it to your children, so they understand why you are teaching them at home. Use it as a tool to remind yourself that every homeschool is unique and God will guide your unique path each and every day.
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