Like many parents, when I first started out on our family's homeschool journey, I read article after article on how others were homeschooling. I wanted to see what methods- from the old to the new- that people were using to provide a home-based education for their children.  I looked through a plethora of resources businesses had to offer that could assist with teaching language arts, mathematics, sciences, the whole nine.  Along this journey I also saw many "testing" assessments for children's learning as well.  There were multiple choice tests, fill-in-the-blank tests, and open-ended assessments. In a nutshell, it all looked like what I was trying to get away from (traditional schooling).  

Though I believe these kinds of "tests" may have their place in assessing where a child may be, it doesn't truly capture if a child has mastered or fully understands the concepts we deliver to them on a regular basis.  For example, you teach your child addition, 3 + 3 = 6.  Pretty simple.  She may be able to add these 2 numbers up by drawing lines on a paper, counting on her fingers, or even using mental math. 

Now, let's take this lesson to the grocery store.  You put 3 apples in the cart. Then you ask, "How many more apples do we need to get 6 apples?"  Some children may be able to figure this out.  Others may be stumped.  In my mind, this is an example of a child who can perform math computation on a worksheet or sheet of paper, but does not actually know "how to apply" the concept of the mathematics she's been learning.  This is an example of testing versus application. After all, what's the use of knowledge that you can't in real life situations.

In our homeschool, we educate the children on entrepreneurship and business ownership.  As an Afrikan-centered family with a mission of ensuring our children become influencers and sellers within the world community. We have Entrepreneurship Day every Friday where we discuss the basics of entrepreneurship such as how to start a business, overhead, profit, loss, etc.  I have not bothered to give my children a paper test to assess whether or not they are obtaining the information.  That's simple regurgitation. 

Instead, two years ago when we first started homeschooling, we asked the boys what kind of business would they like to start up.  They chose a lemonade stand.  We worked with them on writing out a small business plan, creating flyers, marketing, branding, and customer service.  To truly put them to the test, we hosted a "Grand Opening"at the garage of our home. 

They sold $.50 cups of lemonade along with homemade cookies and lollipops for $.25 each.  When neighborhood children or adults would walk up to the stand, our husband and I stood back to observe them.  They were a little nervous at first but still excited!  They gave their "assuming the sale" pitch ("Good afternoon.  Which item would you like to try today?"), sold their products, counted the money (assessing their money counting knowledge, addition, and subtraction), and delivered their "ending pitch" ("We look forward to seeing you back next weekend!).  After the day was done, we helped them count their revenue and calculate their profit. We then asked them what they liked most out of the experience and what they believe they could improve upon next lemonade day.  These experiences have helped them to improve upon their marketing as well as expand their product line.  They have even expanded their target audience by moving their lemonade stand to 2 local farmer's markets on some Saturdays and Wednesdays during Summer and Fall season.  

Because we had made the decision early on to ensure our homeschooling was allowing our children to master concepts they could use in real life, any assessments that do not include placing our children in real life situations just would not suffice.  Applied knowledge is true power.  I encourage you as a homeschooling parent to incorporate real life application of concepts for your young and mature learners.  Experience breeds competence and confidence.  Let's ensure our Black children are going out into the world with great competence and confidence!

 I know there is a special demographic among homeschoolers that include special needs children.  As a parent of a special needs child, I know how important it is to access resources for a child who might need far more support than their typically developing peers.  But what if you are a parent with special needs?  Do you still have the ability to homeschool your children? Should you even try?

In 2016, I was formally diagnosed with "Bipolar Disorder" by my Western medicine  healthcare provider.  Because mental health is so stigmatized these days and people throw around words so loosely, I will explain what bipolar disorder is for those who wish to be more informed. The National Institute of Mental Health's website (www.nimh.nih.gov) describes bipolar disorder as "a brain disorder that causes shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks".  With me, although I work extremely hard to stay "in the middle" (an informal way of saying "stable" with my moods), I do experience manic episodes where I can stay up for 48-72 hours  at a time, creating curriculum, books, cleaning, and organizing; I can also have depressive days where I go without showering, getting out of the bed, and absolutely no cleaning or cooking (for myself or the children).

Any parent who has children under the age of 7 knows how much energy and focus it takes just to keep up with 1 child.  So, for me, keeping up with 4 children that are ages 7 and under is PURE MANIA! Regardless of my diagnosis, I was determined in my decision to homeschool my children.  Even so, I know that this will be a continuous journey of constant evaluation of my symptoms and how they affect my children.  

How do I manage my disorder & homeschool my children?

When I was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I immediately took the prescription drugs given to me by my psychiatrist. My moods had such a negative impact on my family & friends that I had to do something quick before I caused any more damage than I already had. With our family's homeschooling, I take on many roles currently- primary educator, healer/nurse, chef, maid, janitor, chauffeur, sports manager, etc. For those with bipolar disorder, we tend to get overwhelmed quite easy.  These moments of being overwhelmed can lead to lashing out or complete shut down- neither of which is healthy for raising children, nurturing their brilliance, or providing the loving discipline necessary to bring up a well-rounded human being.  So, sometimes, we have to just take our "pill" and swallow it for the benefit of those around us. 

I went through 3 medication changes before I ultimately decided to trust in more Eastern and natural ways to heal myself and control my moods.  Below is my regimen for managing my bipolar disorder while successfully homeschooling my crew:

I. Emotional & Physical Support

I have a wonderful support system!  This immediately helps in reducing the feeling of being overwhelmed by the demands of homeschooling.  My husband, although he travels frequently, is always available at the drop of a dime to talk to me when I need to hear an encouraging word.  He listens to me when I state what I need and even times when I'm not sure what I need, he's attentive enough to do the things he knows will help my current mood or situation.  My mother is retired and has come to stay with our family for lengths of time when I need help with demands of keeping up a home.  She has come for 1 month before and did all of the cleaning, washing, and cooking- which left time for me to simply focus on the academic/scholastic side of our homeschool days. 

​I also have great friends who (1) purchase education supplies for our children, (2) assist with meal preparation to give me a break, and (3) pick up/drop off my children to their various activities to lighten my load. 

My husband is my greatest supporter.  He's an over-the-road truck driver and he's gone 11 days and home for 3 days.  He checks on me daily.  We do video chat on a regular basis and it helps me just knowing he's thinking of us.  If he senses signs of me becoming overwhelmed he orders food to be delivered to the house through Uber Eats or Speedwaiter.  Every time he comes home, we have date night! He hires a sitter and we stay out all night...giving me that one on one time to vent, talk,  relax, laugh out loud, feel loved and have his undivided attention.  A lot of LOVE goes a LONG WAY!

2.  Community Support

​Some people have the idea that unschooling or homeschooling only takes place within the bubble of the 4 walls inside your home.  FALSE! I utilize the resources within my community to assist in our journey because let's face it- HELP IS GOOD & we can't do it all by ourselves.  Any free workshops or activities that the children are interested in, might give them exposure to opportunities, or coincides with our homeschool agenda- I schedule it!  When I need assistance with math instruction, I hire a trusted tutor who comes in 2 hours per week for only $80/month.  I also place the children in teams and learning centers that are STEM-centered to keep them on point and which I just don't have the interest or time to put into learning and then teaching myself.

3.  Demonstrate Patience for Myself & My Children
Learning is a life-long journey.  I am only giving my children a foundation for character building, self mastery, and education that will be a life-long endeavor and make living a life of purpose, on purpose more manageable and successful.  I give myself a break.  I give my children a break and realize that Afrika wasn't built in a day.  Things take time.  They will grasp concepts in time.  I will become a more skilled and effective educator in time.  That's a learning journey all in itself. 

4.  DO YOUR OWN WORK!
I am accountable for how I respond to events and circumstances in my life.  So, although I do acknowledge having a chemical imbalance in my brain, I still am responsible and accountable for my actions (outbursts and mania- ALL OF IT).  My current routine I'm working:

• Use of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy: I was introduced to the Emotional Blend of DoTerra Essential Oils by a local entrepreneur.  It has been life changing.  I use a diffuser all day long- in the car and the house.  I rub "PEACE" or "CONSOLE" on my hands and take a deep breath in to immediately receive calming effects.
• Psychotherapy: I see a therapist regularly that I was referred to within the community.  Yep, I'm Black and have a therapist that I tell my business to and I'M PROUD OF IT!
• Medications:  I am slowly weaning myself from medication as I seek out more wholistic ways of healing my chemical imbalance.  I m currently looking into CBD oil.
• Work out/Exercise:  I recently started having personal training sessions to help me get back into shape and release healthy endorphins that will help provide stable mood management.
• Business Coaching: I hired a business coach to help keep me on track and accountable for my business tasks.  She's encouraging me to outsource some of my business needs using the app "Fiverr" which has been godsend. 

So, take that leap!  You'll never know unless you truly try.  You have more in you than you think.  Your family is worth it and so are you.  Best of all, we're here to assist you on this journey!