All the Little Grubbs

We are getting geared up! Dr. Seuss’s birthday is tomorrow and we will be celebrating with friends.

Well, we finally made it to our 100th day of school!  This school year has had some exciting times…

2011-2012 School Picture (Photo taken by Donna Williams)

After making your decision to homeschool and letting your family and friends know, the next step is to procure some support for this crazy ride on which you are about to embark.

Spiritual Support:
Hopefully, once you have shared your homeschooling decision with loved ones there will be at least a few people that you can ask to be praying for your family.  My mom and Chris’s mom were both supportive of our decision when we started homeschooling.  I know they both prayed for our children and us as we began the journey.

Relational Support:
Chris and I had been friends with a long time homeschooling family so we did know at least one other family who homeschooled.  However, their children were much older than ours.  It is important to have other homeschooling parents with which to discuss questions, curriculum choices, concerns, etc. Try to reach out to another homeschooling family, they will probably be more than happy to take you under their wing as you get started.

Educational Support:
There are many umbrella schools and online academies that offer educational guidance and support for those just getting started.  If you are concerned about being able to pick the right curriculum or what grade level work your child might need, these types of programs might be worth some research on your part. 

Try to find a local homeschool support group.  We are blessed to have a thriving local support group.  BHEA offers many things to its members with the largest being our “Monday Fun” co-op.  Moms, dads, or other members of the community come together once a week to offer a wide variety of classes for members ages 3 yrs. to adult.  My children have taken many different classes from cooking to World History.

When you first start researching and planning how to get started homeschooling you will have times where you feel overwhelmed.  We all have! Just try to take the time to establish support so that when you do feel overwhelmed you’ll have a few people from which you can draw strength and encouragement.  Many times I would (still do) pray and ask God to reassure me that what I was doing was the right thing! And He’s always faithful.  He will be your strongest supporter.

Since we started homeschooling I have had several people, friends and strangers, say things like “I wouldn’t even know how to get started homeschooling.”

These next few posts will address that statement.

The decision:
The decision to homeschool cannot and should not be taken lightly.  When a family is discussing their educational options, the majority of them are talking about city versus county schools or private versus public schools.  If, as a mother (or father), you have felt like homeschooling might be beneficial for your family then you are facing decisions that will be much different than the ones your peers are making.

First things first:
As a Christian the first thing you should do is pray.  Often times, only one parent will feel the call to homeschool.  This was the case with my husband and I.  Although I was tempted and probably did try and “talk him into it” his agreement came only after he had time to seek what God would have for our family.  I remember telling begging him “please pray about it! If you get a definite NO from God then I will accept that.” Thankfully, God did not give him that no. 

Your sacrifice:
If you are a family that already has one parent at home then the decision to homeschool will just be a natural progression as far as finances are concerned.  If you are a two-income family, however, you and your spouse will have to make a plan as to how you will survive with less money. 

There is also the sacrifice of freedom.  For some stay-at-home moms that 5 year old birthday means a ticket to at least a few hours of peace, time to clean, shop, pursue a hobby, etc.  The reality is that if you homeschool, your kids are with you all day. The free time you do have you will need to spend some  a lot of your time making lesson plans and other school related tasks that as the teacher will  be your responsibility. 

Your family’s decision to homeschool is a lifestyle decision that seeps into every part of your family’s life.  (To me, that’s one of the best things about it – but that’s for another post.)

Your declaration:
Unfortunately, many people are still “in the dark” about homeschooling.  I am not saying that to belittle others or exalt homeschoolers.  What I am saying is that well meaning grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, etc. may not be happy with your decision to homeschool.  This negative response comes mainly from their lack of knowing exactly what homeschooling is, not how it is depicted in movies or extreme news cases. 

When you tell your loved ones that you have decided to homeschool, don’t feel like you need to be ready for the next great debate.  Just say “We wanted to let you know that instead of sending little Johnny to XYZ elementary, we have decided to homeschool.”  When the wailing and gnashing of teeth stops and the questions start, just remain calm and say “This is what we have prayed about and feel God is calling us to do as a family right now.”  

Just remember this is your child.

Stay tuned…more on how to get started homeschooling coming up tomorrow!