Comments on: 8 things I’ve learned about education in my 20 years of motherhood (UPDATED!) https://simplehomeschool.net/8-things/ Never let your schooling interrupt your education. Mon, 16 Feb 2026 16:05:02 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 By: Valerie https://simplehomeschool.net/8-things/#comment-102607 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=19280#comment-102607 Thanks Jaime for this. I am not a home school mom but I faced many questions. My 4 year old son doesn’t hold a pencil / write, my family often questioned and asked me to teach him. I don’t know how and often felt I didn’t do enough.

]]> By: Annette https://simplehomeschool.net/8-things/#comment-102586 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=19280#comment-102586 I totally agree, Jamie, especially your points about natural curiosity and the availability of good books. From the time we adopted our daughter at 10 months old, we made every thing a learning experience. At two she would bring a pile of books to be read after breakfast. I would point out letter, numbers, colors, etc. We would count things in the grocery store, name the produce, and go on nature walks. In the car we talked constantly, named objects we saw (cement mixer), and explained what someone was doing. It all served to give her vocabulary and understanding of her world. Ironically, vocabulary is her favorite subject and she talks constantly. When we hit Kindergarten I carefully selected curriculum for every subject. As a former elementary school teacher I felt confident about this part. The very first day of K, I wrote in my journal, “Formal curriculum is constricting”. I felt I had suddenly lost my freedom to teach my child in a natural way. After a difficult sixth grade last year, I slammed on the educational brakes and reevaluated where I was going. This year we are doing delight directed schooling with fewer subjects. Everyone is happier and life is so much less stressful. My daughter is an avid reader and often tells me something I know I haven’t taught her. When I ask where she learned it her answer is always, “I read it in a book”. Sorry this is so long, guess I got a little carried away with this comment. 🙂

]]> By: Caroline Starr Rose https://simplehomeschool.net/8-things/#comment-102585 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=19280#comment-102585 I was going through a box of pictures yesterday and found a post card you’d sent of J. the very same day as the photo above! What a boy.

]]> By: melynne fritze https://simplehomeschool.net/8-things/#comment-81054 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=19280#comment-81054 thank you! beautifully articulated and well put. thank you for the motivation and reminder to let the journey unfold before us!

]]> By: Cognita https://simplehomeschool.net/8-things/#comment-81053 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=19280#comment-81053 A great post Jamie. I always felt that the concept of home schooling is better left untouched. With the vast pool of information, it becomes difficult to ascertain where to begin and how. But reading you post, I have indeed gathered that it’s definitely not a rocket science!

]]> By: Monique https://simplehomeschool.net/8-things/#comment-81027 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=19280#comment-81027 What a lovely post. Well said! Encouraging words for those of us educating at home. Thank you!

]]> By: Jamie ~ Simple Homeschool https://simplehomeschool.net/8-things/#comment-81026 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=19280#comment-81026 In reply to Susan.

It’s from A Reason for Handwriting, Susan!

]]> By: Susan https://simplehomeschool.net/8-things/#comment-81024 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=19280#comment-81024 Great reminders. Thank you so much. And at risk of violating principle #4, can I ask you what book your daughter is copying from? I would love to check it out! 🙂

]]> By: Jamie https://simplehomeschool.net/8-things/#comment-81023 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=19280#comment-81023 In reply to Kristy.

They really do go by so fast–it’s so much more fun if it’s fun! 😉

]]> By: Jamie https://simplehomeschool.net/8-things/#comment-81022 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=19280#comment-81022 In reply to Jeni.

It really will, Jeni. No need to rush!

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