Why Homeschool Accountability is a Good ThingPin

In my post last week about homeschool consistency, I shared my very real struggles. Happily, at the time I was struggling, my kids were very young.

Why Homeschool Accountability is a Good ThingPin

Learning was happening (we always made our required number of days each year) but never with enough consistency to reap the benefits of being consistent (Those benefits are huge, y’all).

The bad news was I knew harder times were coming.

School work was getting more difficult; the kids were getting older; and the process of things like long division was quickly forgotten if not cemented with regular, focused attention over the course of a couple of weeks. A buckshot approach to long division over a month just doesn’t cut it.

I knew I needed some accountability.

The myth of easy personal accountability

Personal accountability is not something we are born with; rather, it is a muscle of the will strengthened over time by a series of small, sometimes painful choices.

Yes, there are those who have more experience exercising that “will muscle.” Most likely they received quite a bit of assistance in developing their will from people or circumstances in their early life — good habit training if you will. I say good for them!

Most people, though, need extra help to develop the skill of personal accountability.

That’s where outside accountability comes in. As you are developing the habits that will eventually become personal accountability, you need accountability from an outside source — someone or something to act as a personal trainer in exercising  that “will muscle.”

Where to find homeschool accountability

The homeschool requirements put forth in most states are merely bureaucratic hoops to jump through — not genuinely helpful tools for building one’s character. Most homeschoolers have to go beyond the state requirements to find meaningful accountability.

Homeschool co-ops are one good way to do this. In fact, it was my participation in a homeschool co-op that helped me to develop better consistency skills for myself.

My children need to be prepared each week to participate in that learning community. That means we need to complete assignments at home and be consistent with our attendance. For many, a co-op is the first step to better homeschooling.

Other people may not have the means to participate in a co-op, nor may they have the desire to do so. For those people, they must seek out accountability help from other sources: the husband, mom (ack!), or fellow homeschooler.

Yet, accountability only works when it’s transparent. Is the homeschool mom just saving face? Does the child sneak into co-op with the minimum, so everything looks OK? Does the accountability partner only hear the successes while rationalizing, excuses, and guilt lurk in the background?

These people need even more help. To strengthen that personal accountability muscle, they need a focused accountability group that intentionally informs workable solutions and develops practical skills.

Three benefits to a focused accountability group

1. A focused accountability group helps you measure your progress and success.

You probably haven’t determined exactly what is causing you to fail. What specifically trips you up and how do you go about changing that? A focused accountability group will help you pinpoint what your problems are and how you can measure your success and progress. You know you are moving closer to your goal because you are making changes and tracking your progress.

2. A focused accountability group keeps you engaged.

There are so many things that can distract you and throw you off course when you are trying to build strong, new habits. Daily reminders and check-ins help keep you focused and get you back on track when you stumble.

3. A focused accountability group keeps you honest.

When you are in a group with others, all moving toward the same goal, you begin to realize that you are the one responsible for your progress. Seeing the struggles of others and holding them accountable as well, helps you notice your personal response to challenges. You begin to eliminate distractions, fix problems, and take action because you know others are counting on you.

You can do this

You know you want to change. You know you probably can’t do it on your own. In fact, you have tried to do it on your own so many times and have failed. And beat yourself up for failing.

The good news is, you don’t have to do that this time.

Check out this unique opportunity for a personal accountability group that will give you the tools you need to make lasting changes in your homeschool.

You can do it. You just might need a little help getting started.

For more tools like this and help with consistency in your homeschool, check out the Homeschool Consistency Bootcamp.