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4 Things Homeschool Moms Need to Hear

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4 Things Homeschool Moms Need to Hear

Life as a homeschool mom can get discouraging. You’ve got relatives, neighbors, and strangers on the Internet telling you that you’re ruining your kids, and sometimes you secretly wonder if they might be right.

They’re not! Be encouraged today with these four things homeschool moms need to hear. Then, go encourage another parent with these words!

Oh, and keep in mind that it’s perfectly ok to let your spouse or other relatives know what you need to hear from them. And, if they haven’t yet come to the realization that you’re doing what’s best for your kids, say them to yourself until you believe it!

things homeschool moms need to hear

1. You can do this.

I’m sure there are plenty of confident homeschooling parents out there who have complete faith in their abilities. But the rest of us really appreciate the occasional reminder that we can do this.

We worry that we’re not doing enough or that we’re doing too much. We worry that we’ve chosen the wrong curriculum, that our kids will be weird, or maybe they really won’t be ready for the real world.

Sometimes we just need someone to come alongside us and remind us that we can do it. If you’re a veteran homeschooling parent, be intentional about encouraging a newbie.

If you’re the friend, relative, or spouse of a homeschooling parent, let her know that you have confidence in her abilities. It really helps when you can point out something specific that they’re doing well.

2. You’re not alone.

It’s been said that two of the most powerful words in the English language are, “me, too.”

Some days, do you find yourself thinking that homeschooling is much harder than you thought it would be? Me, too.

Have you found yourself wondering if your child’s struggles with learning to read are normal or if they’re symptoms of a learning disability? Me, too.

Do you have days when you wonder if you’re really qualified to homeschool your children? Me, too.

You’ve wondered if you’ll be able to remember enough algebra to help your teen understand it? Me, too.

Some days you don’t need a solution to whichever problem you’re facing as much as you need to know that someone else has experienced it.

[bctt tweet=”Some days you don’t need a solution as much as you need to know that someone else has shared your experience.” via=”no”]

As parents (homeschooling or otherwise), it’s easy to look at others and imagine that they have it all together while we’re floundering in the water. The reminder (or revelation) that we’re not alone may be all we need to buoy our flagging confidence.

3. Do what works for your kids.

As homeschooling parents, we’re obviously not afraid to do things differently. So why do we expect every other homeschooler to do things our way? It’s okay for you to do what works for your kids even if it’s drastically different than what I’m doing with mine.

You don’t have to be envious of all the shiny new curriculum you see online. You don’t have to compare yourself to your homeschool friend who always seems to be doing something spectacular. You don’t have to compare your kids to hers (or anybody else’s) either. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” applies here.

While you’re doing your own thing, let another homeschool mom in on the secret, too. Let her know that it’s okay for her to do what works for her.

4. It’s not because you homeschool.

In the majority of cases, homeschooling doesn’t cause or prevent our kids’ poor choices or their stellar ones. Your kid isn’t quiet, shy, boisterous, outgoing, awkward, or nerdy because you homeschool.

A kid’s basic personality is what it is regardless of how he’s educated. Kids make great choices and lousy ones regardless of how they’re educated. Parents and kids argue and disagree regardless of how they’re educated.

Quit blaming everything on homeschooling and feeling guilty about it. It’s not because you homeschool; it’s because you and your kids are human.

Be encouraged, Homeschool Mom. And get out there and encourage someone else!

Do you have ideas for things homeschool moms need to hear? Or for other ways to lift the spirits of a homeschool mom who’s discouraged? Please share your suggestions in the comments! We would love to hear from you! 

 

 

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Giveaway ends May 6th at 11:59pm EDT.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond to email to claim the prize. By entering this giveaway you will be added to the email lists of the participating bloggers. Please be sure to read the Terms & Conditions upon entering the giveaway. By entering the giveaway, you agree and acknowledge your understanding of the terms & conditions.

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Kris Bales is a newly-retired homeschool mom and the quirky, Christ-following, painfully honest founder (and former owner) of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. She has a pretty serious addiction to sweet tea and Words with Friends. Kris and her husband of over 30 years are parents to three amazing homeschool grads. They share their home with three dogs, two cats, a ball python, a bearded dragon, and seven birds.

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9 Comments

  1. My goodness… “Me, too.” Those two words truly are so powerful and just make such an impact. I’m so glad you wrote that because honestly, I think sometimes we need the reminder to point out what other homeschooling parents are doing well, or that we feel the same way as them about something. “Me, too!” Thanks for sharing.

  2. Also, here’s something to melt this homeschooling mama’s heart:

    “Happy Mother’s Day, Babe! Let’s sit down with a bowl of ice cream and go over curriculum plans for next year.”

  3. Knowing that I am not alone is everything. I am slowly finding my people and for that I am forever thankful.

  4. Me, too! Some days homeschooling is so overwhelming! But it’s so encouraging to know that we are not alone. We’re all human. We all make mistakes. There’s gonna be good days and bad days. We all have them! The best thing I have learned is that it’s perfectly ok to just stop when something’s not working, take a break, make some changes, eat some chocolate. haha🤣 The best thing I’ve ever received as a homeschooling mom was words of affirmation — Being seen and being encouraged! So I try to do that often and I encourage others to do that. Just sit and listen, offer a shoulder and a prayer, and drop a note to someone letting them know how amazing they are! It’s so encouraging for a stressed-out struggling homeschool mom but works for everyone in every stage of life ❤

    1. Thank you so much for your comment and suggestions! I agree with you. (Especially the part about eating chocolate…) 🙂

  5. “You Can Do This.” – Yes, that is what I have to keep reminding myself when things get tough while homeschooling. I think of the reasons why I’m homeschooling my kids which far outweighs why I should put them in public school. (I can not stand public school, but I won’t get into that.)

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