How to Make Your Ideal Homeschool Real

How and Why to Craft a Vision Statement for Your Happier Homeschool – with a free printable worksheet!

One of the most important predictors of achieving anything in life is to make a plan for it and then to follow that plan. If you’ve already created your family’s homeschool mission statement, you know why you are doing this crazy, busy homeschool adventure life. (If you haven’t made one yet, you can find my free printable worksheet here.)

What’s Your Plan?

I’ve been a life coach for all kinds of women for more than a decade, and I’ve noticed that as the years go on, most of my clients are other moms. When we work together, we clarify their goals and work together to create their unique road map to the homeschool and family lives of their dreams. Before this current iteration of my lucky life, I’ve also been a serial entrepreneur since I was in my 20’s. I’ve owned a spa, a little PR co, and a skincare and supplement manufacturing business. I was even in the business of booking live music for a minute. (Do you guys remember live music?) 

In all of these things, I’ve been reminded again and again that, without having a vision of where you are going, it’s really hard to get where you hope to go. Raising kids doesn’t come with a do-over button, that’s why it is so important to envision the kind of homeschool and family you want to be, and then take action to become that.

The Difference Between a Mission Statement and a Vision Statement

Your mission statement is generally one sentence that defines the purpose of an organization so that it acts in ways that help it achieve its goals. In this case your organization is your homeschool and if you’re like me, your goal is to create an awesome life that is rich and rewarding. You want your kids to remember this time with fondness when they are grown.

Mission

Your mission is unlikely to change too much or too often, but it’s a great thing to revisit at the beginning of every school year. (Back when I had a little 5-year-old starting kindergarten in 2011, I wanted to homeschool him so we could create an exceptional education, have lots of fun and adventure in the real world, and be sure he grew up knowing he is valued and loved in our family. Now that he’s going into 8th grade, that basic mission hasn’t changed and now includes my wonderful rising 2nd grader.)

Vision

But the vision is something I revisit over and over again throughout the year because it keeps me inspired and that inspiration keeps me on track. If a mission statement describes in one sentence the purpose of your homeschool today, the vision statement outlines in a couple of sentences or a short paragraph the aspirational goal of your homeschool. By knowing how you want it to feel you’ll know how to act, and that will bring you closer to achieving the best possible version of your homeschool.

Why it Works

According to Forbes , “Mastery comes with sticking to the vision and constantly taking actions that align to make the vision a reality.” In other words, if you act like you would if you were living in the ideal homeschool and family life of your vision, you will be creating that reality. And there is nothing woo about it– our days are just many little decisions, made regularly. Having a clear vision helps you make better decisions for your homeschool family life.

I love a vision statement for how it distills the principles guiding how we act and what we do day to day.

What Goes in a Vision Statement?

Our vision guides how we treat each other, what we make time for, what we stand for. Here’s how to make yours:

Get out your scratch paper, open a new doc, or download your free vision statement worksheet here so you can begin crafting yours now.

Using the Vision Statement Worksheet

• Section 1: Our priorities  What are a few subjects or areas you want to make time for in your homeschool? Do you want a home filled with making art? Science? Literature? Service? Nature? Your ethical or spiritual beliefs? 
• Section 2: Key words. What are some key words or phrases that describe your ideal homeschool and family life?  
• Section 3: We are. . .  What are a few character traits you want to be sure your kids grow up possessing? Do you hope for them to be patient? Resilient? Curious? Thoughtful? Tenacious?  Write them in the present tense.
• Section 4: We won’t. . .  What are some things you aim to never do in your homeschool? 
• Section 5: We will feel. . . How do you want to feel in your homeschool? This section is great for brainstorming the emotions you want to feel in your homeschool. 
• Section 6: We will remember. . . How do you want your kids to grow up remembering this time of their life? What did they love doing? What did they learn? How do they remember you as their homeschool mentor teacher? 
• Section 6: Our Vision Statement Take your favorite parts of each section and combine them into 3 or 4 sentences 

Here’s an Example of a Short-paragraph Vision Statement:

Our family makes time for great books, nature, and lots of hands-on experiences out in the world. We strive to be courteous and kind to each other, to give each other the benefit of the doubt, and to never stop being curious and engaged learners. Our home is loving, patient, and happy– the safest and most comfortable place in the world. We know that we can go out into the world ready to accomplish anything we set our minds to, and that when we come back to home base we will be loved and accepted just as we are.

So, what’s your vision for your homeschool and family life? You can download your free vision planning worksheet here to get you started. Once you’ve got your vision, please share a snippet of it in the comments. 

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