When Laura wrote the Minute to Minute readers with her fears about beginning to homeschool, she touched the hearts of many veteran and newbie homeschoolers. We received numerous letters of encouragement from homeschool moms who have faced the onslaught of friends and family opposed to the homeschooling conviction.

 

By the grace of God, Laura will overcome her fear factor and successfully complete her first year of homeschooling. Although she faces this oncoming school year fearfully, she faces it not alone but uplifted in the arms of homeschool moms around the country. Please join these moms as they pray Laura through her fear factor year.

 

 

I understand your anxieties, fear, and uncertainty. It is completely natural, and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying to you! LOL(smiles inserted here!) A lot of things that God calls us to do can seem "un-natural" at first, but it is the overcoming of the fear that will truly lead us on to victory. Because of this we learn to trust Him and completely lean on Him, which is what He wants in the first place. Everything I read in your letter leads me to believe that you know what you must do. I have also read all the writings by the Pearls, and I personally love a "no-nonsense" approach to life in general. If you picked up on what they teach it is just that. 

 

First, comes honesty. Honesty with yourself, then your children. You know the maturity level of your children and what they can handle. With ours we always tell them the truth on a level that they can understand. Our son is 6 and our daughter is about to be 5, and baby #3 is on the way in about a month. When they ask questions, we answer them.  We have explained "why" we homeschool versus public or private school, and even at their young age they really appreciate it. We also apply that to any area that they have questions in. They are constantly complimented on being so mature and well behaved for their age, and I believe one of the main reasons is because of their understanding of what we're called to do.

Keeping things simple is another thing I totally believe in. Don't fall prey to the idea that you have to duplicate a school setting in your home. You are transitioning into this, and that is what it really is. The truth is, it will take you a little while to get in the swing of things and figure stuff out. Your children will not be eternally damaged if they don't finger paint every day. :o) You yourself said that you had "general frustration over the negative socialization and wasted time at school." When you are teaching your children that problem is taken away immediately. Lead your children in the way God is calling you, and He will direct your path. 

 

Don't let the pressure of doing what society says is normal talk you into not doing what God is laying on your heart to do. My husband and I have defended our stance on homeschooling many times. It doesn't hurt to distance yourself a little bit or limit your conversations with certain people. At least until you get your feet on the ground. Everyone has an opinion, but it's usually only based on that person's life experience or theory. Sometimes people will even express their own self doubt or fears of doing what God is calling them to do towards you because your actions challenge what they're doing with their lives. 

I don't know you, but as a sister in the Lord and a fellow homeschooling mom, I BELIEVE in YOU. I know you can do this and will. Just hang in there. Before you know it your family will be sailing, and you'll think back to this time of uncertainty and say, "What in the world was I so afraid of?"

 

Remember:

1. Stay in daily prayer and communication with God/read His Word
2. Stay in daily communication with your husband
3. Be positive and stay positive (even in the face of adversity and "naysayers")
4. Get organized and establish a schedule that works for your family
5.  Make a goal card (daily,weekly, monthly, yearly-whatever works) and recite it daily, it helps tremendously with remaining focused and positive
6. Don't be afraid to ask for help
7. In all these things...have FUN!  Your children will appreciate you even more for it.

Blessings to you!

 

Jenny

Dear Laura,

 

I have homeschooled my girls from the beginning. My husband was in the Army (now retired) and was being deployed about every 6 mos. and rarely home in between, so the majority of raising our children came to me. We have 2 sets of twin girls (one set completely opposite the other identical), 21 months apart, and are very blessed. When it came time for the girls to go to "school" we went to enroll, and the school refused to let me keep them together for the 1st year even after I had provided them with documented evidence from physiologists of the difficulties and dangers of separating twins too early in life. God had planted the seed, and he used school as the catalyst. So our journey started there.

I made the decision to homeschool basically on my own. Neither my husband nor my family were in favor of this type of education, since they felt that "school" was the best possible answer, but my husband relented and "allowed" (I use that term loosely) me to try homeschooling. I must confess, I had many good role models that lived near me to help me over the difficult days in the beginning. Many times I asked myself if I was doing the right thing. I had many reservations, questions, and guilty feelings: was I strong enough? smart enough? or just enough for my children? There isn't one homeschooler, that I know, who hasn't asked those questions about herself.

My husband and I and our children (now 12 and 13) do not question whether we made the "right" decision. In fact, my husband proudly explains that we homeschool our children to everyone and is a true advocate of homeschooling. Our children are intelligent, well adjusted, socially adept young ladies, who can hold a conversation with an adult on many levels and have a passion for life that is rarely seen in young people today. Please don't think my children are the exception, because they are not. They are just kids. Despite all my failures, inconsistencies, and guilt on a regular basis these girls have blossomed. 

 

GOD lovingly gave us the responsibility to raise our children, HE has faith in us. We as parents are the best tools for our children. If God has put the idea of homeschooling in your heart then try. Believe in HIM no matter your feelings of failure or faults. Yes, we will feel many different inadequacies and have many questions, just keep stepping out on faith. God will shine a light in your path and put many people in your life who can help you bridge the gaps. You can do all things through CHRIST our LORD. Lay all your feelings out to Him and don't carry those burdens because then and only then can you truly teach your children.

 

We are only human, accept that you are not perfect and neither are your children and move forward with your plan. Will there be changes in direction? Of course. As you get to know your children you will learn how best to teach them. Teach "to" your children not "to" the books you buy. Life is good, embrace it, live it, and laugh with it. Remember to teach your children not just educate them.

 

May GOD bless all that you desire,

Nancy

My dear sister-in-law is in a similar situation and has successfully completed her first year of homeschooling. It has been a blessing to be the one to encourage her as she followed God's call on her life. I pray that you too find a veteran homeschooler that you can turn to during the year when your resolve is tested.

You mentioned that your husband is 100% for homeschooling. If that's the case you must follow his lead and know that God is calling you to this great adventure. It is a journey that He will equip you to make. Take those doubtful thoughts captive and don't speculate about what might happen, as you do replace those thoughts with truth remember that you are here to please God not man.

My prayer for you is that you will learn to be anxious for nothing by taking every "what if" to the throne of Christ. Make your requests known to God, and you will have a heart of gratitude. As you do these things, I'm convinced that you will experience peace in your choice to homeschool. This is such an exciting time as you learn to trust God more and more!                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                     ~Barbara

Congrats on your decision to homeschool. You will not regret it. Boy, do I understand the family not being happy about the choice to homeschool. My husband comes from three generations of public school teachers, but we had to do what we felt God wanted for our family. His parents became very supportive and the rest tolerate what we do. The only pressure is sometimes it's like we have to prove ourselves which can be unfair to our kids. So, let your kids learn at their speed, and let your kids be themselves. The rest of the stuff will just fall into place. You will be surprised that before long they will say it was their idea for you to homeschool.
                                                                                                                       ~Debbra

This will be my 3rd year to homeschool (and my family was opposed at first, too); I believe each year brings new challenges. Most of all, I remember that this is a calling from God. Our daughter completed 4 years in the public schools, and I never would have thought I would be one to homeschool, but when God speaks to you, you really know it's GOD. 

 

Just enjoy the time you have with your children, and you will make it fun. When you see that you are having a time when things are not going so well, take a break; go to the library or park; play a game or just go get an ice cream. Take the studies outside of the
home for that day. 

 

I will be praying for you and you will do great with God guiding you (that's the best teacher any of us can have). God's blessings upon your home.
                                                                                                                       ~Brenda

 

Your story sounds similar to mine. I have four children, ages 11, 9, 5 & 2. My oldest also went to public school for kindergarten and first grade with Christian teachers both years. We also made many friends, some of which we still have a relationship with. I thank God for those "public school" years, because without them I would not have these friendships. God used that time. But, He also very clearly, during my daughter's first grade year, told me to homeschool. We also live right across the street from the elementary school. We see all the kids and hear all the bells, too. Be assured, we do not miss it. It is especially nice on rainy days when we are inside warm and dry and still in our jammies. I just finished my fourth year of homeschooling, and it is worth it. When I see and hear the neighbor girls who are the same age as my oldest, I thank God my children are not in public school. My daughters are still "innocent." They are kind and responsible, and they have common sense! These attributes are missing from the majority of today's youth.

 

If you truly feel God is calling you to homeschool, then you had better be obedient. We are not called to be pleasers of men but of God. He is the one who will say "well done, my good and faithful servant" when it is all said and done. Don't worry about your family and friends. God called you to raise these children, not them, and He will honor your obedience. He will give you the strength to stand in the face of adversity. Your children are worth it! Just remember to relax and enjoy them!
                                                                                                                          ~Nancy

I'm a grandmother who legally adopted my grandson and have had him for 9 years. Having ADD, my grandson was not allowed to continue in the Christian school after 1st grade. They said that the public school would be able to help him, but the public school did nothing for him or with him. 2nd grade was a complete waste of time.

I retired early from my position in a large company so I could homeschool my grandson in 3rd grade. We had an excellent year - twice it got a little difficult, but I knew I was doing what I was suppose to do. When we had school on the patio we could hear the recess bell, but my grandson was so thankful he wasn't there. He enjoyed not having homework, being able to be himself, humming during spelling if he felt like it. We belong to a homeschool support group out of our church, and we are always busy hiking, camping, and learning about so many things with them. We are looking forward to starting our second year of homeschool in a few weeks. 
                                                                                                                          ~Sandy