Comments on: The power of the beginner https://simplehomeschool.net/begin/ Never let your schooling interrupt your education. Wed, 28 Jan 2026 21:19:48 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 By: Reese https://simplehomeschool.net/begin/#comment-330670 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=17395#comment-330670 Kari, I haven’t even read this blog post yet and already it has inspired me! The title (The Power of the Beginner) and this one phrase: “Instead of raising experts, I hope to raise beginners,” were like a breath of fresh air – like a bolt of lightening, really. My whole life I have wanted to be an expert. But my passion for, and interest in, life have made me more of a jack-of-all-trades than an expert. I have often felt I am “easily distracted,” or “not focused enough,” or “lacking in direction.” Your words were an epiphany for me – rather than feel guilty about not being an expert, I can start to appreciate the wonderful gift of being a life-long beginner. And I can let my kids be beginners too, without the fear that their lives will be somehow less than. Thank you!

]]> By: Lucretia https://simplehomeschool.net/begin/#comment-77316 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=17395#comment-77316 Loved this post, it’s so encouraging, especially for a fellow beginner. I was also homeschooled back in the day and now am trying to figure out this path for my own kids. It’s nice to know that being a beginner has its advantages! I hope I do’t forget it. 🙂

]]> By: Amber https://simplehomeschool.net/begin/#comment-76681 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=17395#comment-76681 Hey, I loved this too! I *am* a perfectionist & I am also a relatively new homeschooler & an eclectic one at that! I often feel like I’m not on my path yet… But maybe thinking of this post with help me redefine what I was looking at as failure as really the gifts of new beginnings. I like that 🙂

]]> By: Amida https://simplehomeschool.net/begin/#comment-76189 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=17395#comment-76189 What a refreshing perspective! Thank you!

]]> By: Kari Patterson https://simplehomeschool.net/begin/#comment-76187 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=17395#comment-76187 In reply to karen (mom).

Aw…Hey Mom!! Thanks for hopping on here–you are my hero! I love you so much, thanks for teaching me and modeling for me a lifetime love for learning!!

]]> By: karen (mom) https://simplehomeschool.net/begin/#comment-76186 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=17395#comment-76186 As grandmother to Kari’s kids, I have the sweetest memories of those lovely days. Three year old Kari having “Bible study” with a Bible upside down and 8 year old Kris inadvertantly concocting cyanide with his chemistry set.

Best advice: Get “school” done in the morning and spend the rest of the day pursuing learning.

]]> By: Kika https://simplehomeschool.net/begin/#comment-76185 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=17395#comment-76185 In reply to Kari Patterson.

Honestly, in the six years I spent in university in the field of Education (to be a French Immersion teacher), I don’t think I received much useful training in ‘how to teach’, anyways. I believe it is mostly learned in the field, hands-on. My husband, who is a teacher, would agree with that although he did have great practicum mentors that he modeled himself after in some ways.

]]> By: Kari Patterson https://simplehomeschool.net/begin/#comment-76184 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=17395#comment-76184 In reply to Marianne@AbundantLife.

Ah yes, an experienced homeschooler speaks peace to us newbies! Thank you so much, Marianne. Absolutely and amen! Blessings…

]]> By: Marianne@AbundantLife https://simplehomeschool.net/begin/#comment-76183 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=17395#comment-76183 Lovely post Kari. And from a veteran homeschooler, I’da say you are absolutely correct. Curriculums, circumstances and other peoples’ opinions of you all fall by the way side as long as your focus is the Lord. He provides, directs, encourages and even fills in all of those dreaded gaps! Relax, seek God and enjoy your kids! Blessings to you.

]]> By: Angela https://simplehomeschool.net/begin/#comment-76182 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=17395#comment-76182 In reply to Kari Patterson.

I saw something similar in Free Range Learning: How Homeschooling Changes Everything 🙂

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