Homeschool 101

My husband was kind enough to drop the "Would you be willing to homeschool?" bomb on me while we were just dating [and not after we were in a legally and spiritually binding contract]. In his defense, he did warn me, but I was head over heels for him, so of course I signed up. After we had kids, and boys for that matter, naturally the stress and anxiety associated with teaching wiggly-short-attention-span-toddlers settled in. Especially since [although college educated] my grammar skills [as shown above] are limited.

Then came SHOUT...

My dear friend, Luci, who also allowed this awkward college student [ME] to interview her midwife during a prenatal appointment, introduced me to SHOUT. Again, this was before Charles & I were married, but at least we were engaged at this point...you can't say we don't do our research ahead of time. 

SHOUT is a local group encouraging homeschooling mothers in their Christian walks, in prayers for their children and homes, in their teaching, in knowledge of homeschooling and in friendships with other homeschoolers.

If you're not local to Atlanta, I highly recommend finding a Christian homeschooling co-op near you. I hear there is nothing more defeating in homeschooling than being [or feeling] alone in your struggles that you WILL run into.

This particular chapter meets once a month, has a $15 annual fee, lots of activities for you and your children, and a very active yahoo group for daily discussions. Newly added is also a facebook group, although private, so you have to pay first on their website.

The meetings are on Thursday nights at Summit Baptist Church. About 50+ families involved come from all different denominations and styles of homeschooling for that matter.

Last night I attended a break out group session with a smaller group of women and we discussed being balanced in homeschooling. If there is one thing I've come to love about these women it's their transparentcy. We aren't getting together to discuss how our volcalono project errupted bigger than yours...we're getting together to share, pray, and help one another.

Once a month, also, on a Monday night there is a "break-out" session for moms homeschooling little ones. I attend this because it's great to brain storm with other mommies how to keep the nursing babies fed & the toddlers alive while homeschooling their older elementary age siblings. 

Last night everyone shared that their 5 struggles in homeschooling were: 

[1] Lack of time to devote to marriage

[2] Lack of time to devote to themselves [working out, hobbies]

[3] Difficulty keeping up with the house & cooking

[4] Training & dealing with attitudes of the children

[5] Time left to spend with the Lord

I was so thankful that I wasn't alone. We walked away ready to encourage one another in our different struggles, pray for one another, and try to focus on ONE THING this next few weeks we could improve. Not everything, but just one thing. To bring balance to an area that was in the greatest need of being brought back into priority.

What's your homeschool struggle?

Next post...I will discuss why I chose to homeschool. Excuse me while I go clean up the red glitter my three got into while I was writing this post.