I never thought I would have ALL boys. I am the middle of three girls, although there were three younger brothers (I come from a blended family on both sides). I had no idea what to do with boys. I grew up thinking they were “icky and weird”. God knew just what I needed in my life to bring more excitement and adventure. Boys. Three of them to be exact. A red head, and tow head, and a blonde. One with blue eyes and two with hazel eyes (like their mama).
I also never thought I would be homeschooling these three little guys. God has a great sense of humor in my life. Navigating raising boys and homeschooling them at the same time has proven very difficult at times. But, it’s not impossible. Boys are loud, dirty, rough, adventurous, and not afraid of anything. They are also sweet, sensitive, loving, protective, and brave.
Determining how your child learns best is the first step. My first son was my “guinea pig”, if you will. I made a lot of mistakes when I first started homeschooling him. I bought thousands of dollars worth of curriculum and books only to find out he hated them and I hated them. That is all part of the experience of homeschooling.
There are a thousand different homeschool methods. Some of them are Charlotte Mason, Eclectic, Classical, Montessori, Unit Studies, etc. Discovering what works and what doesn’t work. If you can figure out how your child likes to learn, then you are one step ahead of the game. I found that I am more of a Classical, Charlotte Mason, Eclectic, Montessori type. I laughed at first too. But, at least now I know.
The next step in homeschooling all boys is to relax. You won’t get it all done. No amount of planning and organizing can prepare you for unexpected surprises. These happen regularly in my home. Write out a schedule that you would like to tentatively follow. I would also encourage you to have realistic expectations. If you have all “littles” don’t expect them to work for 5 or 6 hours. Especially boys. Their attention span is shorter than a girls. Research and read some good books on realistic goals for homeschooling. But, remember, be prepared to not get it all done. There is always tomorrow.
I would also schedule lots of breaks in between subjects. Having scheduled breaks give the child something to look forward to. Those breaks don’t have to involve screen time. It can be a 15 minute break to go jump on the trampoline or read a chapter in a book. Boys need breaks because they need to regain focus and it gives them some time to get a little energy out. My boys have TONS of energy. If they don’t release that energy it becomes a problem and no work will get done.
Look at your calendar at the beginning of each month and schedule at least one field trip. I live in a very historic area so we have plenty of options. We also have a lot of museums and parks around. Schedule one or two days a month to pack a picnic lunch and go to a museum, park, or even visit a friend. This gives mom a break as well as giving the child something to look forward to each month. You can make sure the trip aligns with what you are learning. Or, you can just wing it and do something completely off topic.
One last thing about homeschooling all boys. Keep lots of food on hand. I know a lot of parents don’t like their children snacking but I don’t mind. As long as they are getting their work done, they can enjoy their snacks. They are boys after all. They are growing and their brains and bodies need fuel to keep up with the energetic demands they have. I like to give them healthier choices like apple slices, bananas, yogurt, etc. But, I also throw in popcorn, veggie straws, and cheese sticks. You will have a much more enjoyable homeschooling experience if you keep the kids tummies happy too.
Homeschooling boys can be hard but it can be very rewarding. When you begin to see the fruits of your labor, your heart will leap out of your chest. Boys love their mamas. They have tender hearts and want to be loved and loving. Learning how to do those things while also giving them an education is the best thing you will ever do for them.
Here are some amazing resources for raising boys:
