Let me start with a preface that I’m not your typical homeschool mom with a usual list of homeschool resources. I’m a bit of a dreamer with a minimalist approach to homeschooling. I follow my convictions with ease and put effort into creating a joyful home that feels calm and loving. I sincerely dislike an overly busy schedule or feeling overwhelmed. Our dream homeschool life, that we strive to live, includes something called ‘world schooling’. I would live out of a suitcase, and teach out of a suitcase, if it meant we could travel and explore the world as a family. We’ve had many incredible trips within South Africa and enjoyed doing school on the road. We hope to push some business boundaries and country borders as our kids get older. But for now we love our home in the Overberg countryside and all the local outings are a treat. For curriculum reference, we have shifted from a ‘school at home’ approach (Think Digital – Cambridge) to an eclectic style (Charlotte Mason ) curriculum.
When diving into homeschool resources, I would recommend looking locally first and then moving international. Local resources will be practical, relevant and probably a bit more helpful. Many moms looking to homeschool have a list of questions, and every country in the world has different laws and values regarding home education and education in general. I’m old-school, I often hop onto Facebook and find local (South Africa and the city/town/suburb you live in) Facebook groups or ask around in person if there is a homeschool community where you live. Having real life connections and homeschool community will come to be one of your greatest gifts. They often have WhatsApp or Telegram groups and some even have in-person co-ops or meet-ups up and running. An excellent South African resource is Footprints on our Land. It’s a locally created Charlotte Mason guideline to exploring South African living books, cultivating rhythms and routine in your home and offering a safe landing space with sage counsel, advice and community.
International resources get me really excited. I’ve wondered why, and I think it’s because I first considered homeschooling through following an American mom’s blog – Jodi Mockabee. It was honestly the first time I had ever heard about homeschooling being a way of life and seen as a better choice to sending your children away for school. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Instagram accounts, podcasts and blogs. I would suggest starting with my two favourite podcasts (their Instagram accounts are lovely too), Wild + Free and Stark Raving Dad. Some authors who have inspiring Instagram accounts too are Sally Clarkson, Ainsley Arment, Jodi Mockabee and Ruth Chou Simons and there are many MANY more. My personal weekly scroll throughs are Milena Ciciotti, Shelby Mckerman and my local friend Hanneke Barlow. I’m forever amazed and inspired by the open-ended possibilities of homeschooling, by the close knit bonds of sibling relationships and the genuine wonder and delight of an untamed spirit keen to learn and adventure through this beautiful world.
But, like with many streams of voices and information, resources can become noisy and overwhelming. Some seasons call for muting or leaving chat groups and just devouring your precious children in front of you and the intentional life you have created. Other times you feel so unbelievably blessed to have access to quick answers, advice or a search tab. Govern these seasons with discernment and humility. “The most important work you will ever do will be within the walls of your home” Harold B. Lee.
The original mothers I listened to for hours, bought their books and read all their blog posts were Sally Clarkson, Jody Mockabee, Ruth Chou Simons and Ainsley Arment. You can find them on Instagram or a quick google search. If you have any questions about homeschooling or our lifestyle in general, please comment below. I’d love to open a window into our homeschool life and encourage a fellow mother through honesty and maybe even a little spicy food for thought here or there. Be blessed.
