Something Important That Might Be Missing From Your Homeschool
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I consider myself a pretty organized person. I like to check all the boxes, and you fellow homeschool moms can agree…there are a lot of boxes to check in a homeschool!
However, even though I had everything planned out to a “T” this year and things were running smoothly…something was missing.
Sure, we have all the core subjects covered, and plenty of opportunities for “socialization”. We even work on character building in our homeschool, and have many opportunities for little life lessons along the way.
But I was leaving an opportunity on the table by not being intentional in one specific area.
What was missing?
I realized that I was not being intentional about teaching my kids to give back and serve others on a regular basis. As we worked on our Operation Christmas Child boxes (and had a BLAST!), I questioned why this was mainly just a once-a-year-thing for us.
People need help all the time. People are hungry and without basic necessities all year-round. Our communities have needs every single day.
It seems so obvious, and I know that so many homeschool families do this so well! But I’m ashamed to admit our homeschool was lacking, and this area had been neglected in favor of getting all-the-school done.
We have participated in service projects here and there, but I’m sad to say it has never been a big focus for us. And thinking about the volunteering benefits and values I truly want my kids to walk away from our homeschool with, I knew this was something I needed to become more intentional about.
Volunteering Benefits
There are so many reasons why volunteering is important and should be integrated into our homeschools.
It’s easy to talk or read about being kind, respecting others, and empathy; it’s another thing to actually let our kids experience these things and reinforce them by our actions. Our families have so many unique talents and gifts we can use to bless others, and teaching our kids how to do that is very rewarding.
Kids who volunteer will learn firsthand how they can help people and causes in need. There are opportunities to learn responsibility and leadership skills, critical thinking and problem solving. HelpGuide.org lists many other volunteering benefits such as:
- Reducing stress and providing a sense of purpose
- Making your community a better place
- Meeting new people & increasing social skills
- Increases self-confidence
- Teaches valuable job skills & gives career experience
One study from The University of Birmingham noted that kids that begin volunteering by the age of 10 are more likely to make volunteering a habit throughout their life. And as homeschool moms, we have an opportunity to encourage and support them in this important habit!
Intentional Volunteering in Your Homeschool
Ok so I’ve got you convinced – now where to start? How do we become more intentional in laying this foundation for hearts of service within our kids?
Here are a couple of easy steps you can follow to begin cultivating a service-minded homeschool:
1. Brainstorm how you want to volunteer as a family.
There are many different ways you can volunteer! Sit down with your kids and let them take ownership in this part. You’ll want to choose something you would all enjoy doing, and something that everyone could contribute to.
- Do your kids love animals? Or maybe they would love working with other kids or the elderly?
- Do they like to craft or make things? Do they enjoy baking?
- What skills and strengths do you all have to offer? Are there any causes or organizations that are important to your family?
The answers to these questions will help guide you in selecting service opportunities.
2. Set Volunteering Goals
What goals will motivate your family in volunteering?
Think about how much time you would like to (and are able to!) commit and what you want to accomplish in your volunteer work.
How much time should you try to commit to volunteering?
This will honestly vary by family – and any time you give will be beneficial!
“If you want to touch the past, touch a rock. If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. If you want to touch the future, touch a life.”
Author Unknown
Some studies show about 100 hours a year (or about 2 hours each week) can bring the most benefits to both you and your cause, but that may feel overwhelming when you are just beginning. Remember that volunteering shouldn’t feel like a burden – pick an amount of time with which you are comfortable and able to commit to.
Next, try to write down 2-3 goals for volunteering with your kids.
Be creative with your goals! Here are a couple of examples, but choose something that is meaningful for your family that you will enjoy working together to achieve:
“We want to improve our community by feeding the hungry twice a month.”
“We will help animals in shelters by making toys to donate each month.”
“We will commit to volunteering one weekend a month as a family to serve our community.”
How will you track your success towards your goal? If visuals work well for your kids, a chart or printable might serve as a helpful reminder and encourager.
3. Make a Volunteering Plan
Once you have some goals in mind and know how you might like to serve, it’s time to make a plan!
Find Family Volunteer Opportunities
One great place to start is VolunteerMatch.org. VolunteerMatch is a great website you can look at together that will help you find volunteer opportunities near you. You can even filter your search results by the causes you are most interested in and the skills you can offer.
You’ll also want to make sure to check out the other 11 posts in this series; I share a different theme in each post that will give you some great ideas to try! If you’re on Pinterest, you can follow our Volunteer Kids board for other suggestions.
“The broadest, and maybe the most meaningful definition of volunteering: Doing more than you have to because you want to, in a cause you consider good. ”
Ivan Scheier
Pick Dates to Serve and Put Them On the Calendar
When you have a few ideas to get you started, get out your calendar or planner. Jot down specific dates you will be volunteering, keeping your goals in mind. Use our series posts to choose a different area to focus your volunteer work in each month, and pencil those themes in the calendar. You can plan multiple months at once, or decide to meet each month as a family to discuss details.
For each activity, make a note of supplies you might need and other things you might need to do to prep. Create a to-do list, give each family member a task and encourage one another as you begin!
As you begin volunteering, make sure to have conversations with your kids about your experiences and get their feedback on what went well or what they might like to try next time. Once you finish one project, get the next one on your calendar right away while it’s fresh in your minds.
Volunteering Benefits Our Homeschools
Volunteering is not always easy for us. It pushes us out of our comfort zones. It’s hard to find the time. It’s challenging to coordinate when we have a house full of littles and full schedules of school work. But as important as book-work is, heart-work and training our kids to serve others is just as important.
How would the dynamic of your homeschool change if you incorporated just one act of service each month this year? What kind of volunteering benefits would you like to see in your kids and your community?
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
Galatians 5:13
We should not waste the freedom we have in Christ to only serve ourselves – we are called to be selfless in serving others. As homeschool moms, I know we are often very selfless when it comes to serving in our home. How can we pass on this legacy to our kids and encourage them to live out the love that God has given them?
This post is part of the series “12 Days of Serving Others”. In this series, you’ll find great tips and ideas on how you can incorporate service and volunteering into your homeschool all year.
I’ll link the rest of the series posts here to make it easy to navigate!
- Something Important That Might Be Missing From Your Homeschool
- The “Giving Box” and Other Ways Kids Will Love to Donate
- How Your Creative Cards Can Make a Big Impact
- Helping Our Furry Friends: Fun Ways Kids Can Get Involved
- The Best Boxes You’ll Ever Pack
- One Wreath Can Make a Difference
- Random Acts of Kindness: How to Make Them a Habit
- Why You’ll Want to Host a “Packing Party” This Season
- Crafted With Love: Wonderful Service Projects for Crafty Kids!
- How To Begin Volunteering With Your Family
- 7 Ways to Bless Others With Your Baking Skills
- How to Build a Great Foundation for Service With Your Kids
Drop a comment below – I love getting to know you! Do you already volunteer regularly in your homeschool, or are you like me and working on making it a habit?
This post is also part of the 12 Days of Homeschooling Fun Through the Holidays Series. Click here to check out the other amazing bloggers who are a part of this, and to enter the giveaway!
