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Teach Them Diligently is hosting a blog hop this month to encourage Homeschooling Mamas! I will be joining them for several different topics throughout the month, and if you want more encouragement then go here to read more blogs!
It’s not even worth asking the question “Do you get discouraged as a homeschooling mama?” Of course we all do! I have never met one homeschooling mama who has not struggled with doubts, confusion, discouragement, and wondering why they don’t have it altogether.
I’ll be honest, compared to many homeschooling bloggers out there I feel like a newbie. My oldest child is 9, so we haven’t hit the difficult high school years yet. The only reason I feel a little more qualified to write about homeschooling is because I was a homeschooled student from K-12th grade.
Here are some common things that homeschooling mamas can get discouraged about. and my response.
1. I’m not smart enough to homeschool, my child is already smarter then I am! I’m never going to be able to keep up.
If you have that attitude, your child will easily pick up on it and then the disrespect will quickly start to happen. As a homeschooling mother we are responsible for our child’s education through high school, and the older grades involve scary stuff like algebra, chemistry, and foreign languages. *shudder* You know what? I don’t let those fears stop me. My mother was not the smartest women in the world. She learned more from home educating us then she did going to public school herself. But that fear did not stop her from tackling the subjects that needed to be learned. We need to let go of the mentality that we must do it all. There are many programs available to help your child learn subjects you don’t know. Rosetta Stone for foreign Language, Teaching Textbooks or Math U See on DVD, and Apologia has amazing science programs that go through high school written for the student to comprehend. If you need further help, there are always tutors available to ask for help!
2. My Child has such a bad attitude, we never can get any schoolwork done! I’m always disciplining and our days end in tears.
I hear you mama. I really do. You are not alone, we all understand this one. Something that helped me was attending the Teach Them Diligently Convention in Omaha recently. I received so much encouragement from sessions I went to, and vendors I spoke with about putting character first above education. It is not wrong to step back from academics for awhile and focus on character. There are so many good character resources available that actually can be incorporated into a school day! A good resource I recently picked up at the convention is “Laying Down The Rails For Children“.
3. I have so many outside problems going on, marital, health, church issues….I just can’t focus on homeschooling my children.
My mother endured all of these issues and more, and never gave up. Homeschooling was a huge priority to her, and I never saw her waver or even be tempted to place us in Public School. There were days that she taught us from her bed, as she would be terribly sick with her Lupus, or recovering from a seizure caused by her epilepsy. Sometimes we did school in the car on the way to yet another Dr. visit. Other times our school education consisted of reading scriptures to her, singing hymns to her, making meals and bringing them to her, helping her do even basic things such as getting ready for the day. As soon as we were legally allowed to drive we got our permit, and were put on our parents checking accounts. We learned not only how to follow a list and get groceries, but also how to go ourselves and purchase things that were needed when she was too sick to make a list. The things I learned through everyday life with a homeschooling mother who struggled with illnesses are far more practical and life changing then if I had been sent to Public or Private school out of fear of not being able to do it because of a parent being sick. A young mama I know became sick with Cancer last year, and a young lady in our church went over and helped the children do their school work while the mother went to her chemo treatments. Pray for wisdom through various situations. Many times it is doable if you are committed.
4. All I do is homeschool and clean the house! I’m getting so burnt out on this, I just need some time alone.
Some women are of the opinion that it is spiritual to say you don’t need any alone time. I’m not one of those. 
If I don’t get some alone time to breath once in while I can crash and burn. Some things I do for alone moments are: browse on Pinterest for 10-15 minutes, go to the grocery store by myself (or even just with one of my five children!), go on a walk, have a dinner date with my husband, or put the children to bed and watch one of my favorite movies with my husband. If I’m spiritually discouraged (versus just suffering from noise overload!) then spending time reading God’s word can be very encouraging. I always head to the Psalms and Proverbs if I’m down. Remember, even Jesus took time alone to be apart from the crowd. It is not wrong to need some quiet time.
5. I’m all alone! I have no support, my family is not excited I’m homeschooling and I don’t know of anyone who homeschools either.
If this is the case, it is imperative that you find a homeschool convention near you and try to attend. I am surrounded by friends who homeschool and I have full support from all my family, yet I still receive great encouragement whenever I attend a convention! You can also join a homeschool forum online and interact with other homeschooling mothers about curriculum, schedules, and everyday life.
Finally, don’t feel guilty if the school day has fallen apart and you are tempted to indulge yourself in a huge pity party. Just put the books away for the day, go outside and play with your children or bake cookies with them! There is always tomorrow to pull the books back out.
If you are looking for a homeschool convention to attend, consider attending Teach Them Diligently Marketplace over the summer months! There are nine different ones to choose from. The Teach Them Diligently Marketplace is a totally new concept in homeschool events, which will feature an incredible selection of curriculum and educational materials in a manner that will allow you to compare them side by side to help you choose what is best for your family. There will be curriculum specialists onsite to help you evaluate which curriculums will best suit your children’s learning styles. They will even feature outstanding digital resources. It truly is the first ever Homeschool Curriculum Superstore ever!
In addition to the great shopping experience you will enjoy, there will be 4 terrific speakers speaking 11 times throughout the day. So, you will truly be inspired, encouraged and equipped to continue your homeschooling journey! Apologia is also hosting a mom’s retreat the night before, which would be a great mom’s night out for you and your friends.
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