A Brave Writer's Life in Brief

17 Things Only Brave Writer Homeschoolers Would Know

1. Wrinkled paper makes a freer writer.

2. A chair is essential to teaching prepositions.

3. The term “Elbow” is not a mid-joint in your arm.

4. Weapons make perfectly appropriate names for children’s curriculum.

5. Planning from behind does not involve toilet paper.

6. It takes more time to prep poetry teatime than to do it.

7. Copywork is better by candlelight.

8. Brave Writer lets parents be dictators—get it?

9. Dotty has an art table in your living room, even though you’ve never met Dotty.

10. Your lesson planner is a BINGO card.

11. If Brave Writer initially confuses your school-brain, you’re doing it right!

12. Writing in lipstick on a mirror counts.

13. Doing “not enough” is just enough.

14. Brownie mix is on the back-to-school materials list.

15. Watching the movie first is a legit book club.

16. Mouths are full of big juicy conversations, not hamburgers.

17. You’re haunted by the Ghost of Public School Past…less.

There are 7 key ideas (or so) that are good to know when practicing a Brave Writer Lifestyle.

Key Ideas

1. Jot down your child’s words when you hear an act of spontaneous passionate self expression. Value your child’s thoughts and get them written. Read them back later to an interested audience (family). Watch your child discover joy at being read and a reason to write.

2. Immerse your children in a language-rich environment—books, poetry teatime, big juicy conversations, movies, comic books, jokes, and lots of writing implements to explore.

3. You create an invisible education for your child with the atmosphere of your home and family life. Kindness matters. So does telling the truth and not pretending. Give your children a healthy family life, and improve the quality of your homeschool. Get help if you need it—no shame in that.

4. You get one life. It matters that you like the one you’re living. Home educating your kids can be a grand adventure—yours. When it stops feeling that way, find out why and make adjustments. No child wants to be the source of a parent’s unhappiness.

5. Your curiosity is enough for your homeschool and is just as important as your child’s (could be argued that it’s more important). Trust it to lead you.

6. Do one thing. Just one. Prepare. Do it well. Be present. Remember it fondly. Then do another thing.

7. Homeschooling is cutting-edge education reform. You are Charlotte Mason or John Holt. You and your family are testing and experimenting with new tactics every day, and will contribute insights to the project of education for all. Thank you for risking your kids. I salute you!

This post is originally from Instagram and @juliebogartwriter is my account there so come follow along for more conversations like this one!