Upholding One Another on This Homeschool Journey

From Our House to Yours

Upholding One Another on This Homeschool Journey

I believe we need to uphold one another on this homeschool journey. Homeschooling can be lonely. However, we can have each other’s backs! As homeschool moms, we need to guard against unhealthy comparisons. There is no one perfect way to homeschool. One homeschool mom stays home full-time. Another homeschool mom works part-time. Still another homeschool mom works full-time, while her husband, mom, sister, or friend helps teach. Likewise, one homeschool mom has no outside help. Another homeschool mom hires a part-time tutor, a cleaning lady, a babysitter, or a part-time nanny. Moreover, one homeschool mom teaches Monday through Friday, from September to May. Another homeschool mom teaches nights and weekends, year-round. Furthermore, one homeschool mom makes every meal from scratch. Another homeschool mom orders every meal to be delivered. The point is, we can be different kinds of homeschool moms and still uphold one another.

Upholding Our Children on This Homeschool Journey

I believe we need to uphold each of our children on this homeschool journey. As homeschool moms, we need to guard against unhealthy comparisons. There is no one perfect homeschool student. One student is an early riser who works best in the morning. Another student is a night owl who works best at night. Still another student is an ‘in the middle’ who works best in the afternoon. Likewise, one student loves everything creative. Another student loves everything logical. Moreover, one student excels at reading, writing, and spelling. Another student excels at math and science. Still another student is more average or below average, but has a penchant for helping others. Furthermore, one student is a messy who works best ensconced in piles of books, surrounded with noise. Another student works best when things are neat as a pin and quiet as a mouse. The point is, children can be different kinds of students and still uphold one another.

Negative Thoughts… Negative Comments… Not ways to uphold one another as homeschool moms!

I have spoken to homeschool moms on the phone who sheepishly share they don’t cook, or they have someone clean their home. Likewise, I have spoken to homeschool moms who quietly confess they don’t bake homemade bread or keep a garden. Moreover, I have spoken to homeschool moms who brokenly share they have piles of laundry, uncorrected schoolwork, and crayon writing on their walls. Why are we so hard on ourselves as homeschool moms? I think it is (sometimes) because we are so hard on each other! We need not be negative Nellies with negative thoughts and negative comments about each other. I truly believe we need to guard against this! Mary talking bad about Gina for hiring a cleaning lady is just as wrong as Gina talking bad about Mary’s house being a mess. Homeschool moms, we must uphold one another!

Negative Thoughts… Negative Comments… Not ways to uphold one another as homeschool students!

I have spoken with children at conventions who sheepishly share they are the ‘slow one.’ Likewise, I have spoken with children at conventions who confidently share they are the ‘advanced one.’ Where do children get these unhealthy comparisons? Negative thoughts, negative comments are not ways to uphold our children as homeschool students. Moreover, I have spoken with children who quietly confess they are ‘behind,’ while a sibling proudly states he/she is ‘ahead.’ If children are combined and it leads to unhealthy self-images like this, believe me, it would be best to separate! Homeschool moms, we must uphold our children and teach them to uphold each other!

Let us uphold one another on this homeschool journey!

It is not easy to love one another, yet it is what we are commanded to do. When we are prone to unhealthy comparisons, the root is often jealousy or pride. If you’ve ever spent real time talking to fellow homeschool moms, you know, not a single one of us is perfect. Mary can’t keep her house clean because she has chronic fatigue and eight children. Gina needs a house cleaner because her husband expects her to work and homeschool, and he really likes a clean house too.

As Christian women, we can do better. We can uphold one another and know what one mom needs to do to keep homeschooling may be different from what another mom needs to do. Likewise, all children are made in the image of God. Every child has a God-given purpose, as well as unique gifts and talents. In a moment of weakness, let’s cling to the thought that we need each other! As homeschool moms, we have the power to uphold each other and our children. Let’s do this, together, one day at a time!

In Christ,

Julie