I recently shared that homeschooling is one part teaching and 99 parts love. I wrote that to myself a few years ago as a reminder to make love the center of my homeschool. At the time, my daughter (8yo) was really pushing back on my attempts to teach her to read. I wasn’t trying to do much, but it was still too much for her and our days felt long and out of sorts.

The one thing going well was our nightly reading time. No matter how the day went, she would brush her teeth, put on her jammies … and I would brush my teeth and put on my jammies … she would grab Teddy and we would all snuggle on the couch together to read a chapter in our current favorite book. She relished the power she had over me when she requested “one more chapter, please?”

It was the loveliest of times. And it made me realize that we could have more lovely – and loving – times if I just backed off on the formal reading lessons. So, I did. And it worked. And this week, two years later, we curled up on the couch in the middle of the day, each with our own book, but still cuddled together. And I remembered all those days and nights – and my heart was bursting!

All this to say that focusing on love will serve you, your children, and your homeschool better than focusing on any curriculum in existence. I promise.

Homeschool Happy!

Jessica Leavitt, Homeschool Sunshine Coach

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