For most of their early childhood and elementary school years, my two boys attended a Waldorf school. But for two-and-a-half of those years, we were Waldorf homeschoolers.
Even though I spent years in teacher training, received a master’s degree in education, and read a plethora of books on child development and educational theory, I learned more about how children learn in those two years than from all the books and training combined.
I also found happiness in learning to be a “good enough” mother and teacher, and learned to let go of perfect.
Today, my first post as a guest contributor appears over at Simple Homeschool, documenting our experience as a Waldorf homeschoolers.
Hope you’ll drop by, and let me know what you think!
Waldorf Homeschooling: Learning to Let Go
Are you a Waldorf homeschooler? An Unschooler? What homeschool resources have you found helpful? I’d love to hear what’s working for you!
10 Comments
I’ve never heard of Waldorf Homeschooling. I’ll be interested in reading your post over at Simple Homeschool. We are less structured, but I wouldn’t call myself an unschooler (although you might LOL!). I find conventions to be the best resources for keeping up with the newest things, but most of my old stuff works for us. Lisa~
Sarah, thank you so much for posting a picture from your own homeschool days. I remember viewing a similar picture on your own website years ago and missed it. It is such a beautiful room!
Wow, Leslie, do you remember my old Faraway Farm website and seeing these photos? Amazing!
There are more photos of our homeschool classroom at http://simplehomeschool.net/waldorf-homeschooling-learning-to-let-go/#more-3901.
Oh Sarah, I loved your article – but I have a rather superficial question to ask. Where did you get that gorgeous rug – it is exactly what I have been looking for. Please tell me sell them through Bella Luna toys (I am laughing here, but slightly hopeful?) Do tell.
How funny, Sheila! I got it on eBay.
It was one of two great braided rugs I found there. (The other was in my classroom at the Waldorf school) Now it’s in the office that my husband and I share.
Try your luck on eBay by searching for “large cotton braided rug pastel.”
If I sold those at Bella Luna Toys, I’m afraid I’d have to raise my shipping price — by a LOT!
Thank you so much for your post! I have been a customer at Bella Luna in the past and I’m so happy you are there now!
I love this post so much! Last year was my first year of homeschool and I LOVE the Waldorf style! While I strived to incorporate what I could, I struggled with the same attempts at keeping it this way. I did the same thing and went with what was happening in our lives (local bird events, travel-we are in Europe for a couple of years, harvests, etc.). All the while, I would question “am I doing enough?”, “do they get what they need?” so your blog is very comforting to me!
It felt so good to have someone say “let go of the need to have things perfect”. This is something that is also a challenge for me!
The number one thing I have wanted for my children to learn from homeschooling is that learning is FUN! So much fun and to have them seek it out on their own. I love that you mention that your kids did end up with that! What a great lifelong learning skill!
So, thank you for your blog that allows me to continue as we are knowing that we are doing just what needs to be done!
I am looking forward to reading more of your posts and I will be following your blog!
Thanks, Molly. The whole time we were homeschooling I felt like we were never doing enough. When I look back now, I see how very much we did, and realize now what a special time we had together.
Cherish these days with your children! Relax and enjoy each day. It goes by all too quickly.
Hello Sarah,
I stumbled upon your blog through the Parenting Passageway which is funny because I recently spoke on the phone with you about a catalogue for your store. I am so happy to have found this blog…I look forward to having more time to visit, I usually do this at night when the children are in bed, but I had a moment during naptime/playtime. I am happy to hear that letting go of perfect is acceptable to others…it’s a hard lesson for a Virgo like myself.
I look forward to reading more,
xo
My first thought on seeing your photos over at the SITS site: homeschooler. Me too. Though, apparently, I don’t do it with the your flourish! All the best!
Thanks, Helen, though I’m not currently homeschooling. Oldest is off to college in two weeks, and younger son starts high school at the same time.
Have a joy-filled homeschooling year!