Blessing Others with Used Curriculum

Blessing Yourself and Others With Used Curriculum

I hear it all the time in homeschooling circles. "I have so much curriculum
on my shelves that I don't even use." The vast majority of us have WAY more
than we could ever use in our homes, yet we continue to buy new curriculum
that is just too good to pass up! The worst part of this cycle is the guilt
that goes with those piles of wonderful books. This guilt is like a ball
and chain around our ankles, weighing us down and often negatively effecting
our homeschool. Ladies, it is time to let go of the guilt and free
ourselves from this burden! I have some ideas that I'd like to share that I
hope will bless you as well as bless others.

#1 - You need to know that nearly every homeschooler has more curriculum
than they can use.

This is normal because we all love our children and want to give them the
very best education we can. Homeschooling often creates a love of learning
in us as well as our children so we get excited about all the wonderful
curriculum choices! I know ladies who started homeschooling before it was
legal in this state and their choices in curriculum were limited to
workbooks from Safeway! These ladies had little curriculum to work with yet
they created a wonderful learning environment in their homes and their
children grew up and now have successful lives. All without KONOS,
Math-U-See, or Apologia Science! Over the last 15 years I have seen the
homeschooling market explode with choices. It can be overwhelming to anyone
(especially new homeschoolers) as we get caught in this whirlpool of options
and easily get drowned.

#2 - It is impossible to teach your child everything they need to know.

Yes, your child will have gaps in their education; we all do, even those of
us educated by the government schools. The key to a good education is not
the quantity of knowledge but creating the desire to learn and the ability
to find knowledge all throughout your life. When it comes to homeschooling
we want the very best for our child. We think we will teach our children
French, Spanish, Latin, Greek and perhaps American Sign Language, too. Is
that realistic? No, and trying to do it will certainly burn out our child
and ourselves! The love of learning will quickly be squelched if we
discourage our children with too much. Plus our creative energy is stolen
away when we are stressed and overwhelmed and the joy of homeschooling
disappears. The delicate balancing act of how much to do in our homeschool
often takes years to achieve (and then it changes each year, too!) and many
new homeschoolers will quit before they learn the correct balance for their
families. Some advice: Be flexible, adjust each year, adjust for each
child, and don't compare your child, family or homeschool to others. Then
once you find something that works, stick with it and avoid second guessing
yourself when something new comes along. It is better to do less and do it
well.

#3 - You cannot relive the past and it is a waste of energy to try.

Whether a curriculum purchase was good or not is irrelevant now that it is
made. It is time to decide what to do with what you have already purchased.
You will hopefully learn from this experience, but wallowing in the past is
counter-productive. You cannot go back and change the past, but you can
make the future brighter.

#4 - Keeping clutter around your home is an energy drain.

I am sure nearly all homeschoolers have read a book on clutter and home
organization, so I won't belabor this point. You know that a simplified
home is easier to keep clean, easier to get the most out of, easier to live
in. The same is true of your homeschool. Keeping the curriculum essentials
to a minimum makes them easier to find, easier to use, easier to keep track
of, and easier to get the most out of. You will need to collect what you
are actually using, (and what is really working!) evaluate what you will
really use this year (be realistic) and bless your children and yourself by
letting go of the rest. If a curriculum isn't working for your child, admit
it and move on. It doesn't matter how much you spent on it if it's killing
your child's joy and stressing you out. There is another child somewhere
who would love that same program!

#5 - There are many people who could be blessed by you if you would only let
go of your stuff.

Homeschoolers often forget that there is someone out there who is looking
for the very curriculum that you have and aren't using. Many times
homeschoolers are single income families who cannot afford new curriculum
and need to buy used items. New homeschoolers may not know what they want
to use and by buying used curriculum they can test drive something without
the huge outlay of money. Don't you see how you can bless some other family
with your surplus?

#6 - Decide how to easily get rid of your extra curriculum.

If you make it difficult, you may not do it. Check around at your local homeschooling
meeting and perhaps you can find someone to give your curriculum to. Think
how happy they would be! This is the time of year for used curriculum sales
that are already organized by someone else. Sell off your extras or just
give it away. The internet makes it very easy to connect with other
homeschoolers and sell or give away your curriculum. Sometimes you can find a used
curriculum store where you can take your
stuff and get credit to buy what you need for next year! Depending on your
priorities (joy factor, financial, time, practicality, etc.), you can decide
how best to bless others, but don't hold back. Just do it! Once you are
released of that extra weight, you will feel wonderful as you soar into your
next year of homeschooling!