I think it is important to establish traditions with your home schooled children. A few traditions we have are school supply shopping and first day of school celebrations.
Every year the kids and I go shopping to pick up some back to homeschool supplies. This usually means notebooks, pencils, and a little something special. This year my younger children picked out some very inexpensive calculators as their special purchase. I was hesitant at first to buy these calculators because I could see them ending up in our junk drawer, but my kids have been playing with them all week. Even my preschooler is adding numbers and having fun while learning!
After the school shopping trip we head out for a special back to school lunch. We talk about the upcoming year, expectations, favorite subjects, and anything else that is on their mind about school. The kids really look forward to this special time.
We also have a first day of school celebration. This year it will actually be a second day of school celebration, but we’re taking the whole family to a baseball game. We like to do something with dad to kick off the school year and this year we were able to get some baseball tickets, so that’s how we’re celebrating.
I also try to get pictures of the kids on the first day of school. It is fun to look back over the years and see how much they have changed. My oldest reminded me this weekend that this is her last year of “official” homeschooling, as next year she will take classes at a community college. Wow. I can’t believe she is almost finished. It seems like just yesterday we were pulling out those green Bob Jones Reading level one books! I know when your kids are little and you’re surrounded by Cheerios and dirty diapers it is hard to believe that time flies, but trust me, it does.
Whether you homeschool or not, creating traditions with your kids is a great way to create memories that last a lifetime. I still remember baking cinnamon rolls and pies with my father every December to take to families in our church. It doesn’t have to be something big or expensive, just something the kids know they can count on happening year after year.
spkareno says
I’ve been discussing this very subject with my husband all day! Thanks for posting this!! We want to do something special to mark the new school year, but we’ve pretty much schooled, although lightly, through the summer. So I wanted to make sure the kids recognize the move to a new ‘grade level’ so to speak. Anyway. Thanks for reminding me it doesn’t have to be huge. Let’s just have a meal and talk about all the things we learned last year, and all the things we’re going to learn this year!! I hope we come up with a special activity to do too!
DgsandBjsMom says
We always schooled the entire year when I was growing up. Our summers were spent traveling with 4-H and CAP all over the country and for my brother the world as he went to Israel for 2 weeks for free. Those 4-6 weeks breaks were our big treat in high school.
meghan says
LOVE your post! Thanks for joining in Hip Homeschool Hop. I look forward to getting to know you better!
Meghan
http://www.facebook.com/hiphomeschoolmoms
http://www.thetuckerstaketennessee.com
Theresa says
Hi! Stopping by from the Blog Hop! this is my first year of homeschooling! I loved your post! I am still thinking of how to go about things…and this really gave me some good ideas! Thank you!
Tonya says
We have a special back-to-school lunch also. Normally it’s the first day of school. This year, it’s this Friday since my younger son began Monday and our older son resumes college on Aug. 23. It’s always lunch out with Dad. We do this at the beginning of the school year and at the end as well. 🙂
Lizzie says
Wrapped brand new, filled to the brim pencil boxes with treats like gum and lipgloss and chocolate chip pancakes! I love traditions.
Came by from Hip Homeschool Hop to say hi!
Southern Gal says
I was just sitting here wondering what I could do to make the start of school special this year and then I saw this. Thanks for sharing ideas.
Somebody's Mimi says
I think it is important to have those special milestones in life. They come a little easier in public school and you have done an excellent job making them happen for your kids. I think the homeschool parent sometimes gets lost in the “learn learn learn” and forgets the fun and memories that can be made. Again you get an A+!
Netta says
Thanks for sharing your traditions. I needed the inspiration.
We choose to start homeschool in Sept. because that’s when Michigan schools
start & we keep a sorta-similar schedule. I really need to be planning & sorting, etc… and just haven’t had the inspiration or the chunk of time I’d like.
Thanks for the nudge.
katena dyser says
Hi each year we take a picture of our kids. Its hard to believe your oldest is going off to college where did the time go. great ideas always katena
Young Wife says
What great traditions!
Joy says
We usually go out to supper on our first day back and then dad gets to ask the kids all about school. We look forward to it every year!
Stopping by from the Hip Homeschool Hop!
SUE says
Traditions are so wonderful for making lasting memories with your kids. Thank you so much for sharing yours with us today!
I’m so glad that you joined the HIP HOMESCHOOL HOP.
Sue
Rachel says
Was this a baysox game by chance? It thought I saw your older daughter with one of your younger ones!
TheHappyHousewife says
Yes, my little girls swept the bases between the third and the fourth inning. 🙂 You probably didn’t recognize me because I was a hot sweaty mess!
joyce:waddleeahchaa.com says
Taking a picture gets my vote. Also I like the idea of measuring each child. Your can post the picture and the measurement at the beginning of their journal every year. Thanks for the post. We’re getting ready for school too. 🙂
Maura says
I am homeschooling my son for the first time this year and I am super nervous! Thanks for the post!
Jessica Krohn says
Maura ~ I am beginning my 3rd year and I remember that first year and how nervous I was….don’t worry it’s perfectly normal. If I could pass on any advice, it would be ‘Be Flexible and Don’t sweat the small stuff’. I spent a lot of time my first year trying to make everything ‘perfect’ and in the end I realized that the schooling time happened but above all that…I spent tons more time with my son, I actually knew what he was learning, and we could work schooling around his interests and focus on any character shaping that needed to take place. None of which was possible in public school. I have gained so much ‘time’ with my son…and in a few short years we have stacked up the memories!
Good luck on your first year, you will do great!
Jessica
maria says
I love traditions for kids. This sounds like a great one.
Groovewoman says
What a GREAT idea. This will be our first year homeschooling, so I am excited to see what traditions will come out of this year of firsts for our family. 😀