Homeschooling and the What If game

As a parent, it is easy to second guess yourself.  As a homeschooler, it is especially easy to fall into the "What If" trap.

Here's a few examples.......

What if we had used math program A instead of program B?

What if we had use an online accredit program instead of a non-accredited program?

What if we had focused more on science and less on literature?

What if we had been more structured? What if we had used a more unschooling approach?

What if we had spent less time on sports? What if we had spent more time on sports?

What if we had traveled more and studied less? What if we had studied more and traveled less?

And on, and on, it goes.


Because we, as homeschoolers, have a nearly endless supply of educational options, it can be very hard to be satisfied with our choices.   What if there is a better math program than the one you are using?  Or, maybe, what if there is a math program that is better suited to this particular child and would it be worth your time in the long run to abandon the program you used for the 3 prior children and try something new? If you don't try something new, how would you know that what your are using is really the best?

(Heavy sigh)

Sometimes, I wonder if parents send there children to school just so they can leave it to the school to decide.  As an added bonus, the parents can always complain about it afterwards and blame the school if they don't like the outcome. 

Homeschoolers have no such luxury.  There is no one to blame but yourself.

(Heavy sigh)

Another thing that makes it hard is that we hang out with such high functioning families.  Our children's peer group is a bunch of high achievers that make the 90th percentile look practically remedial.

I'm very happy with my older children's success in college and life,.....but there still is this little voice that says, "What if we had ......".

(Heavy sigh)