4 Things to Embrace as a Homeschool Mom
Being a homeschool mom is not easy. And you know – honestly – I never saw myself being here. I didn’t have anything against homeschooling. It’s incredibly rewarding, even with some of its challenges. It’s just something that I didn’t think I would be doing. After all, my eldest son is 18 and graduating this year. And what do you know, God blessed my husband and I a few years ago and I now have a 4 and an almost 3 year old.
My journey so far definitely looks different from how I thought it would. Not knowing what to expect, I decided to look to the people who I know and also explore online to see what others were doing.
When I started my homeschooling with my youngest sons, I quickly realized that I had to shelf my perfectionist tendencies, roll up my sleeves and be flexible. After all, we weren’t in a classroom with 25 other students. It was the two of them and me. The classroom design (or lack thereof) was mine. Curriculum choices were mine. I had to embrace that our school model didn’t have to resemble anyone else’s. It was ours to create and enjoy. As I started walking out this journey, I realized that there are four other things a homeschool mom must embrace:
   1. Embrace Change.Â
Change is an inevitable part of homeschool life….and sometime change is hard. I’m not implying your house will be trashed from top to bottom all the time. Some days, it may feel like that if you have kids working on science projects, reading assignments, writing practice and have toddlers practicing counting and sorting with trucks, blocks or Lego’s (like I do.) But just know that homeschooling will change you.
It will stretch you in areas that you didn’t know needed stretching (but God did.) Need more patience? Need to operate in grace? Homeschooling will help you work on those things and so much more. You will have to decipher when to wear the mom hat and when to wear the teacher hat. You will learn what battles to fight and when to just take something in stride. Although just about everything can be a teachable moment, it doesn’t have to be. Growth will come from the changes. Embrace them friend.
   2. Embrace Your Children.
Embrace your children.  When you start homeschooling your children, there will be a time during your day that the line will need to be drawn as teacher and mom. For some children, a bit more structure may be necessary in order to help them focus on the lessons they are working on that day. Even with the additional structure that may be needed, ensure that your children know that are mom first. School is no easy task. But when mom is the teacher, it’s very possible that your children may feel an added pressure because they don’t want to disappoint you.
They may be reluctant to express themselves if they are struggling with math problems or don’t understand a science question. This could possibly manifest itself in a host of different ways. But one way to help assure your children that you 1) understand it’s not always easy and that 2) are always there for them is to embrace them. Sometimes that hug, encouraging word or smile is just what your child needs. Trust me on this one. They will thank you for it time and time again.
A parent's embrace during a child's challenging moment shows love and reassurance. Share on X
   3. Embrace Community.
The homeschool community has been an amazing blessing to me…in so many different ways. When I started homeschooling, I was excited but also a bit overwhelmed. My eldest son went to public school so my experience with “how” to begin was very limited. My cousin, a veteran homeschooler, gave me some tips and told me some things to do. But she lives out-of-state so I couldn’t call her all the time. I wasn’t sure who I could talk to in my area. Well, to my surprise, the first homeschool community that I was a part of it was online. It is a group called Homeschool Scopes on Facebook. These moms utilized Periscope to talk and share about all things homeschooling.
What an incredible support and encouragement they have been to me over the past year. I have learned SO much about homeschooling styles from them. I’ve also connected with some fantastic groups in my area. Homeschoolers are an incredible community. While no two families educate their children the same way, you can be sure to know that homeschoolers understand other homeschoolers. They understand the challenge and are genuine in their support and offer of authentic community. I’ve seen so many examples of different homeschool co-ops working together to help families who may be walking through a difficult season or maybe just need some extra help juggling their schedule. It’s an incredible blessing to know that you don’t have to do it alone. Community is one of the best parts of the homeschooling journey.
  4. Embrace Christ.
Embracing Christ is the most important thing that you can do.  There will be days when you feel inadequate and ill-equipped about teaching your children. Frustration and exhaustion may creep in and set up shop. Your children may not be cooperating. And you will feel like giving up. Exhale and invite Jesus to meet you right where you are. That’s right. Stop what you are doing and pray.  It is in our discouragement that we will find our confidence in Him. In desperate times of weariness or exhaustion, He will gently remind you that you can do all things through Him (Philippians 4:13).
Rest in Jesus. He will give us what we need to steward the precious children He entrusted us with. Share on X
Take some time to set your heart and mind upon Him. It’s in these times that as we cast our cares upon our Heavenly Father, He will renew us. He will strengthen you and equip you.
Embrace the journey friend.
It is my heart's desire to see women walk in their true power and authority in Jesus Christ. I get the honor of walking that out in my writing, speaking and everyday life.
With a cold latte in hand and my latest read under my arm, I'm usually seen going over math facts, checking out a new STEM project and studying God's Word. In my spare time, you will catch me spending time with family and friends, at live music festivals and on the hunt for a new favorite dessert.
www.angelpenn.com
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Great point about them worrying about pleasing you as teacher and mom! I hadn’t thought much about that. And yest to community! I feel they have been a better asset than the internet on how homeschooling “really” goes. 🙂
I always feel such admiration for homeschooling moms, Angel. I didn’t know that you are one, but I’m pinning this post to my Homeschooling Resources board. You go, girl!
Oh Beth, thank you so much sister. Blessings upon you!
YES! Thank you! These were so good to read and be reminded of at the start of another homeschool day! So grateful for your wisdom and encouragement, Angel!
Wonderful post! I never thought about number 2 until just now and I’ve been homeschooling for two years. My daughter does have the added pressure of not wanting to disappoint me, because her teacher is also her mother. This is something I’m going to pray about. Thanks for these great tips!
that part about change is so true! Every time I thought I had things down, they changed! Learn to be flexible and change with the needs of your children as they grow.
Hi Angela! What great advice for homeschooling moms! Thanks for the reminders. Stopping by from hearts and home blog hop. Have a great weekend!
Thanks for stopping by my blog Tiffiney!!! Best wishes friend!
This is a great post! You’ve already figured out some key things about homeschooling in a way that you can sustain and not burn out. Embracing your children and Jesus are BIG keys!
Great article. These are truly the 4 most important parts of homeschooling.
Thanks so much for checking it out Dachelle!
YES!! Apart from Him, none of it would be possible.
Absolutely! There’s no way to do any of it without Jesus!
As a homeschool alum, I love discovering these types of posts to share with others. Thank you for writing this!
I love connecting with homeschool alums! You encourage me even more. Thanks for dropping by Lauren!
Ohhhh Lauren! Thank you so much! I love connecting with homeschool alums. You encourage my heart as I walk this journey now.
So good! I’m just getting into my homeschool journey, but I can agree with all of these so far! Community is so needed, so finding a good one is a MUST! Thanks for the suggestions!
So glad that I could help Rebekah!!! Would love to know when you get connected with a great one. If I can be of ANY help, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I’d love to support you in that. Blessings friend!
These are some great tips as a homeschooling mom. Thanks for linking up with Turn it Up Tuesday.
Interesting read… I’ve always admired women who take this on, because goodness knows there’s enough to do in the day without homeschooling the kids. Huge kudos to you… a great read for anyone considering doing the same 🙂 #fandayfriday
Homeschooling is a total sacrifice on a parent’s part. I just finished my first full year of homeschooling and really enjoyed it. Only with God’s grace was I able to pull through! Philip 4:13
Yes, embracing Christ helps the others be more doable. 🙂 Great post!
Thank you so much! I appreciate you stopping by to check it out!
ah, yes, embracing community will help you to feel a lot less isolated. I have been homeschooling for more than ten years, so that is something I learned the hard way. Blessings!
Community is a big part of it being successful! Homeschooling ten years? Wow girl! I bet you are a wealth of information and a tremendous to support to those in your circle. Thanks so much for dropping by to check out my post.
Amen! We need this remind every moment of the day! We need to embrace with passion all that God has entrusted us with starting with our family!
Thank you, dear Angel, for speaking to my heart tonight!
Love you, girl!
Amen Ana! I am so glad that it blessed you sister. It’s so easy to get caught in the busyness of educating our children that we miss the moments (and people) we need to embrace. Love you too!
That first one has been so hard for me! Anyone who knows me knows that I DON’T handle change well! It scares me and stresses me out! As a former classroom teacher, it was hard to change my ways to adjust to how homeschooling works, but God has definitely used this process and my kids to sand away my rough edges. Not that they’re all gone, there’s still plenty of molding left to do, lol!
Heather – you are indeed a fearless, faithful mom! Kudos to you sister for coming home to answer the call to educate your children! God has a way of using all things to help refine us. I have found that those closest to me typically play a big part in that. We all have more refining to do. You are not alone. We will get there together!
Hi, Angel! Thanks for these reminders. Homeschooling can really wear on you, especially when you have a house full of kiddos. But, I want to embrace them, this experience, this time.
A house full of children can make it more challenging but I love what you said….Embrace them, this experience and this time. It’s something that they will always carry with them and will be memories that all of you cherish. You can do it!
This was a beautiful reminder of my role as a homeschooling mom! I am a public school teacher turned homeschooling mom, and you are spot on when you say you have to put away perfectionist tendencies. And boy, is that tough! With all of the decisions being your own, there’s a sense of freedom and yet a nagging concern over choosing the “right” curriculum. I am so thankful that we have a God who uses our weaknesses to accomplish His will! Without His daily grace and mercy, I would definitely not be doing what I am doing now.
Yes, yes, yes Jennifer! Isn’t it something how we still hold ourselves to such perfectionistic standards? It’s hard. Thank God for His grace that allows us to love on our children, help them learn the way that best fits their personalities and really lean into Him for the details! What an awesome call that you answered by leaving the public school system and staying home to educate your children. They’re blessed to have you friend!
Dearest Angel, thanks for the timely reminders! Homeschool is an adventure to say the least. I noticed that your four pointers all begin with “embrace.” “Embrace” is a fitting word for the homeschool adventure; no two days are the same. We are ever embracing! If your family is on a traditional schedule, I pray that you all will soon embrace Summer vacation and all of the joys of the season. Love, blessings, and hugs to you and yours!
Thank you so much Jeanine! We actually do year round schooling with our boys but will be taking a few breaks here and there. Blessings upon you sister!