Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Mike Smith:
Andrea, you told us in the last program how you used a mission statement and goals in your homeschooling. Did you find them helpful in organizing the details of the school year?

Andrea Soldini:
I did! Having goals helped not only in organizing but also determining what details to add or subtract.

Mike:
How did periodically evaluating your goals help you to accomplish your mission for your family?

Andrea:
My mission is accomplished incrementally, on a daily basis. Sometimes it’s hard to see significant advancement in such little steps. It’s like swimming across a large body of water—you don’t feel like you’re getting anywhere, but you just keep heading to a visible landmark to stay on course. As I get closer, I may see a more important landmark to head for and adjust course.

Having goals has helped keep a good focus, and knowing it is OK to adjust them regularly has been comforting. For example, when our goals included study of certain subjects, we found it perfectly acceptable to put those studies on hold when necessary. Sometimes we change course to engage in a character study to address particular character issues in our children, which we feel are a very high priority.

Mike:
Andrea, thank you for sharing your advice with our listeners today. I think many will find it helpful in their own homeschool planning. And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.