Advice for New Homeschooling Moms
When my husband and I first considered homeschooling, I was flooded with questions.
Where do I even start? How do I do this? Who can I talk to? And beneath the questions churned a sea of fears. What if I mess up their education? What if they fall behind? What if they can’t get into college? Am I even good enough for this?
Sound familiar? We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Unless you’re a second-generation homeschooler, the whole concept can feel like stepping into the unknown. Even then, shifting from being the homeschooled student to the homeschool teacher can bring its own set of uncertainties.
Sixteen years ago, we embarked on our homeschooling journey. Sixteen years! It feels like both yesterday and a lifetime ago. I had absolutely no clue where to begin. My husband and I are both products of public schools, with no homeschooling experience in our families.
Luckily, I had a friend who homeschooled. I’d watched her children grow and thrive, and they were… different. In a good way. When we finally decided homeschooling was the right path for us, I knew who to call.
I remember that conversation like it was yesterday (well, sixteen yesterdays ago). Armed with a pen and paper, I sat in our carport and called her. That conversation was one of the most helpful and encouraging I’ve ever had about parenting and homeschooling. It sustained me through those challenging early years.
While I don’t remember every word, two pieces of advice stand out. Two pieces of advice I clung to when self-doubt and overwhelm threatened to consume me.
Advice for New Homeschool Moms
What were those two nuggets of wisdom?
I confessed to my friend my crippling lack of confidence. This was their education we were talking about! If I failed, I’d ruin their lives… right?
First Piece of Advice
My friend, in the calmest, most reassuring voice, simply said, “You care more about your children than anyone else on this earth. You care more about their education and development than any teacher could. You will do a great job, better than anyone else, at making sure they get what they need. Their education is important to you, and you won’t mess it up.”
It seems obvious, doesn’t it? But sometimes, even seasoned moms need that reminder. We need reassurance.
So, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been at this for a while, remember this: You love and care for your children more than anyone else. Their education and development are paramount to you. Trust yourself. You will make sure they get what they need.
The Second Piece of Advice
The second piece of advice? “Don’t quit after the first year.”
Honestly, I didn’t fully grasp what she meant at the time. I understood the words, but the meaning didn’t sink in until that first year was over. There were so many things about homeschooling I didn’t “get” until years later, things I wish I’d known from the start.
The transition from public school to home was harder than I anticipated. The first semester was exciting, an adventure. But by the second semester, the feeling of adventure had worn thin. My kids missed things about school – the social interaction they had been accustomed to, the structure, the change of scenery. They were willing participants, but they still missed those things.
And, it was just as hard for me. Going from a quiet home with a mild-mannered toddler to a house full of noise with a fourth and seventh grader (which, in turn, made the toddler not so mild-mannered) was a huge adjustment. I loved having my kids home, I wanted to invest in them, but that didn’t negate the difficulty of the transition. Now, looking back, the noise was a good thing. I loved the noise. It took me a little time to appreciate all that wonderful noise of children being children in our home.
What made it difficult for me at that time was – I craved alone time. I needed quiet. I had to adjust. We all needed to adjust. Dramatic lifestyle changes require patience, time, and a lot of prayers.
Have you ever heard the expression, “It takes a lot of water to turn a big boat around?” Changing from public school to homeschooling is a big change. It takes time to adjust. Homeschooling is more than just something you do; it’s a lifestyle.
Give yourself and your family time to adjust before deciding to quit. Don’t judge the entire journey based on the first year. Each year will get better.
So, new (or seasoned) homeschool mom, here’s my advice:
- Don’t worry about not giving your kids what they need for a great education. Because it’s important to you, you will provide what they need, when they need it.
- Whatever you do, don’t quit after the first year. Give yourselves time to adjust. You started this journey for a reason – because you believed it was best for your kids. Don’t give up on that belief.
What are your fears and concerns? I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below – you might just resonate with someone else and ease their worries, too.
C-ya in the next post!
Until then….
Enjoy the season you’re in! Ecclesiastes 3:1
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