5 Thoughts on Homeschooling Possibility

It has been over 12 years since we first began homeschooling (not counting our homeschool preschool experiences). It was something I had always been curious about but truly lacked the courage for. I had attended college for a few years but I did not have my degree and I was no specialist in childhood education.

I was, however, an avid volunteer at my kids' school from the moment my oldest crossed their threshold. He, by this point, had entered the 8th grade, my middle two were in 2nd and 4th grade respectively and my youngest was just beginning preschool.

My dedicated volunteering had earned respect among the more seasoned teachers who welcomed me frequently and even gave me tips for working with my kiddos on extra activities at home. They began to encourage me to apply as a sub. I prayed and contemplated the prospect. In an effort of what I believe was to convince me to join the call list, one of the teachers encouraged me to browse their teacher manuals while helping prepare classroom lessons one day.

I couldn't believe my eyes: E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. was drawn out within the extensive book's pages. Not just what to teach but how to teach it. Alongside miniaturized snapshot versions of the student's text were pop-out columns which included dialogue and project ideas along with in-text answers and detailed teaching information. The shroud was suddenly torn as I realized how scripted teaching had become... and that, in fact, I was capable of doing it too!

This is not to discredit those teachers who like to color outside the lines... go off-script, develop different projects and are gifted with an ability to really see each student's needs and address them appropriately. Teachers juggle a lot and I do respect those who work hard at their job.

However, for me, as mom, I began to see sign after sign of how God was calling me to home educate my kids. I didn't need a degree or special permission.  I need not know developmental psychology (though I had taken it in college).  Being my children's mother was all the qualification required.

A series of unfortunate events brought the decision to a head and as Christmastime approached that year, I prepared our departure letter for the school and superintendent as was required in our area at that time. New year's dawned and we were officially a homeschool family (though my oldest remained in public school against my better judgement).

I've seen both sides of the fence. I chose to homeschool because I felt Called to. Many families right now are homeschooling out of necessity, using materials provided by the schools themselves. Even over the years as I have taught my children and am about to graduate my last, I have had so many parents comment to me: "I could never do what you do"... "I'm not qualified to teach my children"... "I don't think I could be around my kids all day like that"... and so on. And every time, it breaks my heart.

You CAN do it, if you choose to.
You ARE qualified, as mentioned above.
Your kids may be difficult, but it may also be because of public school...

My older daughter, who was in 4th grade when we pulled them out, has ADHD. She tested rather high on the spectrum.  Our first few months at home were grueling. Having been 'caged' all day at school had caused behavior issues to manifest. It took time but within that first year of school, everyone around us noticed a major change in her. She could actually sit still longer, she was more engaged in learning, she even became a better conversationalist. Yes, some days I lost my temper.... but so did her teacher at school, so did her friends. The difference: she had the safety and security of knowing she was still loved by me, unlike the feelings of rejection growing in her at school. Before we began homeschooling, I struggled to understand her and was often frustrated with her.... but after homeschooling for a bit, I got her like no one else did. We grew closer and I grew more patient and understanding.

But I digress.

I have a question for all the mothers of public schoolers out there today:

Is it possible this current situation is something God is using to whisper to your heart on the point of homeschooling? 

It may seem daunting, you may feel you are unqualified... but did you know God has already qualified you and provided a way? You just need a willingness.

I know some of the questions and concerns which will be swimming around your mind right now and so I thought I would try to address a few today, in case it can help...

5 Thoughts on Homeschooling Possibility

1. You are not alone (and your kids won't be weird and unsocialized!!)
The resources for homeschooling families are endless. Clubs in most communities for socialization and networking are countless. My kids were always involved in AWANA growing up and then youth group as they hit middle school and high school.  I know families who also get involved in what are known as Coops (I'll talk more on those in a minute), they are a great opportunity for your children to interact with their peers. Youngers often have playground dates and many areas have Homeschool Organizations which provide a support system for parents and various activities for the youth including organizing field trips at discounted group rates.

Truth is, most homeschool kids are better adjusted in any setting because their social interactions are not limited to same-aged group, rather, they learn how to communicate confidently across the age spectrums and that confidence is often carried over into better aptitude in employment as well as adjusting to life on college campuses.

On a field trip with the homeschool group to spend the morning in an 1880s classroom at the local history museum, kids were invited to dress the part!

2. You have a tremendous amount of freedom in educational choice
Do you ever take issue with what or how your children are being taught?  Are you one of the many families who despise helping your kids with Common Core math? I've got great news: Curriculum is as varied as types of learners are!

As a homeschool family you get the awesome privilege of picking whatever curriculum you want to use from a plethora of sellers. Online (and in person after Covid ends) Homeschool and Curriculum fairs give you an opportunity to be encouraged by key note speakers and explore the variety of options in learning materials out there.

Money an issue? No problem.  Some families will spend hundreds of dollars a year on supplies while others spend very little. Studies have shown that more money does not equal better educated, which is good, because we never could afford high investment. Often times you can either find used materials through Ebay or garage sales and some homeschool groups offer local curriculum stores and book exchanges. There are also websites with loads of printable and online information for cheap or free.  Two favorite resources of ours (link in text title):

Easy Peasy All-In-One Homeschool
The resources here are broken down by grade and subject. If you really wanted to, you could let Easy Peasy do ALL the work for you!  We have mostly used them supplementally and have also used the high school Music Appreciation program. A friend of mine, who recommended it, had to work part time while also homeschooling and found this resource to be a life-saver with their schedule. My favorite part? It's FREEEEEEE!

Old Schoolhouse Teachers
Both a magazine you can subscribe to AND a website with amazing unlimited teacher resources for all grades which you can print or access online. (use "COW" as a coupon code and pay only $10 a month!) We love the plethora of options!

A tip: if you are anti-common core, be sure the math curriculum you use does not say "common core aligned". It is usually indicated in the product description or on the cover of the materials. Abeka and Teaching Textbooks do NOT use common core methods. I'm not certain on others though.

Other freedoms:

• Time of day to begin and end teaching... entire up to you! By the way, I know your kiddos attend school for at least 6 hours a day, however, actual teaching takes much less than that.  Elementary school kids can often have all their work done in 2-3 hours tops and upper level students in 3-4 hours, depending on the subjects you choose and their drive to get the lessons done.
• What days you do school work are up to you. You can have a 4 day school week or a 5 day school week.  You can choose to do 4 weeks on and one week off. You can teach year round or stick with the typical September through May. It is entirely up to you.  Which brings up another great freedom:
• You pick when vacations take place. Want to take 3 weeks off at Christmas time or plan a family vacation for March? No problem.  Your time off is up to you and it isn't stuck on a one-week-at-a-time schedule!

Schoolwork in our RV as we spent a year traveling in missions work.

3. If you think you can't, options say you can!
A popular trend in homeschooling right now is Coops. These are groups which get together to exchange knowledge and resources.  For example, you may not feel capable of teaching your kids science but your local homeschool coop is offering a science "class". It typically costs no money and works more on a barter system such as; you may teach Art or English or you might offer to look after the younger kids while olders learn in exchange for your kids' participation in other classes. Classes usually meet once a week and students are sent home with 'homework' to have completed by next class. Each coop is a bit different so you would want to see what the local options entail. This opportunity not only offers socialization but also peace of mind if you are concerned you need the help teaching a particular subject.

Another popular option for high schoolers is dual enrollment. Most colleges will accept students as early as Junior year of high school.  Rates are reduced for dual enrollment and Student grants and/or loans are typically granted by FAFSA for these classes. I've known many students who graduate high school AND college with an Associates at the same time! However, most families simply have their kids take a few classes to get a jump start on college and to cover subjects like Science, Foreign Language or English which many parents feel they are not confident to teach on a high school level.

Sports can be a sticking point for some families as well.  Again, many towns have not only developed homeschool support groups but also teams which compete with area schools. Some smaller Christian schools will also allow homeschoolers to participate on their teams. If those are not options, you may also check into local leagues your kids can participate in through Parks and Rec, YMCA and a myriad of other outlets.

Music is another big point with many families. Our homeschool association where the kids grew up had a full band and choir! Other options include private lessons, church groups and peer groups.

Attended Handle's Messiah with friends. It was performed by our local professional orchestra and choir (the orchestra does semi-annual meet-and-greets with their instruments for local youth!)

We all spent a few years singing with our church choir and Brenden and Brooke also spent some time with the homeschool choir

After singing and then learning to play guitar, Ashley served in multiple capacities in the church and was eventually mentored by her youth pastor/music minister in Worship leadership.

Brooke took piano lessons from a graduated and now married homeschooler! Even got to attend music parties with the other students and plan for recitals.

4. You don't have to know everything to teach
It is OK to read the textbooks with your kids and learn as you go!  I wasn't raised in the church and I went to regular public school (I also was not the best student in any class that wasn't history or writing or art!!!).  I love our Christian based curriculum and how it opens up a whole new field of information I was never exposed to. I've also absorbed information I either never picked up in school or perhaps I simply flushed!

Game show style review for history with questions adjusted to each grade level

5. Homeschooling is NOT School at home (unless you want it to be)
You do not need to line up little school desks or have absolute structure from one class to the next. Homeschooling doesn't just offer the beautify of learning while still in your p.j.s, it also means you can do lessons on the back porch, at the park, at grandma's house and even in the coffee shop or library!

Homeschooling also offers greater opportunities to not just learn from books... but to also learn from LIFE.
     Home Ec: in the kitchen helping out.
     Science: gardening, exploring in the back yard or at the local pond
     History: museums, the History Chanel, YouTube, a family member or friend who was 'there'
     Math: through games or transactions at the store or measuring for a project...
     Language Arts: writing letters to friends and family, simply reading good books also, check out notebooking/lapbooks!

Our favorite style of homeschooling has been the Charlotte Mason method. While I would classify us as "Eclectic" homeschoolers, there is definite Mason influence in our approaches to learning. We were often found at parks or in the backyard nature journaling and observing. We also did a lot of unit studies, combining multiple subjects into one in order to saturate our lives each week with the information we were learning.

Wrapping up a unit on Ancient Rome: kids made armor and had a friendly gladiator fight in the front yard!

Nature study at a local park

***


I have thrown a lot of information out there and you may still have questions.  Please feel free to comment below. If you know anyone who homeschools, pick their brain on what is (and isn't) working for them. Check out homeschooling chat groups on Facebook or Instagram. Be assured: there is no ONE AND ONLY way to homeschool (even if someone says there is!) opinions and practices are very diverse.

Each state does have different requirements for homeschooling. You can reference the HSLDA website (link in text) for a mountain of resources, articles and even a breakdown of homeschooling laws by state.

Finally, I will admit this to you: like mothering, homeschooling isn't always easy. Some days you AND your kids are in tears... and others, you are laughing till your sides split. It takes dedication and, even on the days you want to dump them back in school, perseverance with an eye on the prize can keep you motivated.  What is the prize? Time, family and a firm foundation.

Sibling school set up...

...years passed but the partnership never changed except to grow stronger

When I first pulled my middle two out, they had been starting to drift away from the closeness and commitment to family, particularly to their siblings. My oldest was already a stranger in our household, loosing necessary connection to the family in lieu of all things school. As I mentioned, I left him in public school against my better judgement. In the end, though, all my homeschooled kids are very intelligent, had the options for college everyone else did and, most of all, they came to respect each other and my husband and I in a way public school never would have taught them.

Yes, it will be a roller coaster.  But it will be a glorious ride and, I promise, it goes faster than you can imagine.

She was 4th grade, unfocused and almost out of control. She hated to read and couldn't sit still to write. She graduated 2016, level headed, very studious with multiple classical novels under her belt and 2 manuscripts she was hoping to publish! Oh, and most of her friends had no idea she was once a poster child for ADHD!

Whatever you decide.... you've got this. Pray, trust and, regardless, always be available... first to God and then to your kids ♥️

Blessings to you!

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HMJ meets Teen Talk on Letting Go

HMJ entries are getting harder and harder as the year progresses (and now is almost over).  A small part was the time needed for a Bible Study I was writing for a local women's group.  However, even when pockets opened up, I have been at a loss.  Then, God reminds me: talk (i.e. write) about it!  So here goes...

For those who are new here, Brooke, my youngest of 4, is 11th grade now.  We have 2 months left in the school year and then, the plan is, next fall she will be semi-full-time in college on the dual-enrollment program.  She will only have 2 classes with me, one of which is online (I just make sure the work gets done) and the other is a one semester class on Economics and Civics.

I'm still in shell-shock.

The idea to enroll at a local Christian College just came up in the last month.  All year I have plugged along, naively expecting I would have one more year to transition out of "teacher" status.

Not so.

And what is worse:  SHE WANTS THIS!!  She is weary of teacher mom... which I didn't expect since her and I get along so well.  The one thing that made my 2nd youngest's graduation easier last year was looking forward to the one-on-one I would have for two more years with Brooke. 

But no.

From the get-go this youngest has struggled as well.  So used to the buzz of siblings, especially her big brother whom she was closest to (they should have been twins!!), she was at a loss in the quiet of just her and I.  To make matters worse, while we have been in our city for almost 6 years now, we are still treated like "outsiders" and she has had difficulty finding dedicated friends as a result.

She is lonely.

...and, apparently, in a 16 year old's world... mom does not suffice to fill all the gaps siblings have in the past!

On a recent hike with her older sister.

Oh, I'm not complaining.  As a matter of fact, I DO see the comedy in it all as well.  Realistically, ALL the 'kids' did this at this same stage.  But, I guess, I always had more kids coming down the line who were still happy in homeschool, happy to spend time with mom all day, happy with status-quo.  I suppose I just invested all that energy in the ones which remained... now none do.  So I am stuck, staring this crazy "kids are growing up" beast in the face and it ain't pretty!

Parents: I don't have very many answers for this.  Just the soft cries of a mother's heart saying "come back" to all those years, they slip by much to fast.

Well, maybe I do have some thoughts.  This is what I am learning and reciting to myself lately:

#1 - Don't take it personally.  Your  teen still loves you.  It really isn't you - it IS them!! 

#2 - In light of #1, hold loosely.  It is often mistaken that this stage requires tightening when that is the very thing which often drives them further away.

#3 - Establish clear boundaries and be firm... it may seem to contradict #2 but instead it is meant to help you with it.  By the time your teen is 16 there should be some clear boundaries in place such as curfew, cell phone/social media use, dating, chores, etc.  Unless they are acting out and getting in trouble, now is not the time to tighten the rules simply out of fear because they are "growing up" and it is hard to let go.  If you both understand the boundaries well, you, as the parent, can ease up on all other areas.

#4 - Give them opportunities to make mature decisions, even if you don't agree with those decisions!!  Show them how to filter the decision making process through the Word of God and, as long as they are not going against the Word and God, agree to disagree.  For example... they have a job and when the paycheck comes in you would like to see them saving 50% in a long-term savings account... but they want to save 25%.  Neither goes against God's Word, both have pros and cons.  Discuss those pros and cons OBJECTIVELY (that can be the hard part!) and then allow them to make the decision without ridicule.  As many opportunities as can safely be given, should be given.  It is good for them to learn how to make mature decisions while still in the household so you are close to advise when needed.

#5 - Don't stop giving advice!  Sometimes they act like they don't want it!  I do suggest filtering advice so it isn't in 'lecture' mode.  Fact is, even when they push back, a lack of advice actually causes them to feel more isolated!  They won't say it at the time, but they appreciate input.

#6 - Be a good listener.  Let them know they can come to you, even with the hard things.  We have a rule in our house: if you need to talk to mom about something you are afraid she will get mad at, just say, "Mom, please don't get mad..." and then share whatever it is.  I may get upset or uncomfortable with what they share, but I bite my tongue and just listen.  They know I may be upset, but the disclaimer seems more for the effect of, "please don't yell at me and please be gentle as I need to bare my heart", so I don't yell.  I just process.  Sometimes I ask interrogative questions to better understand WHY in a situation.  In the rare instances when they have done something which requires punishment, we calmly discuss the situation and why it would be best to have some form of penalty.

#7 - You CAN and should be their friend BUT when a serious situation arises, you are first and foremost their parent.  It is OK to set that disclaimer out there, I do!

How does all this play into our homeschool?  Well, with a daughter, there are always moods and emotions.  Now that it is just her and I, we will take time first thing in the morning to hash out any heart-renderings so her mind is clear and ready to learn.  When we were still teaching multiples, we would do the lessons and, once I was done helping everyone, I would carve out time for heart-to-hearts on topics for any kiddo needing the attention. 

If you ask me, this is the beauty of homeschooling through the teen years.  In public school they need to move along with the herd and be generally ignored most of the day, with the only advice coming predominately from their peers who are also struggling with this stage! 

This style of parenting in or out of the homeschool may seem like an enabling tactic, but I don't think it is, as long as it is done right.  As we listen and talk, talk and listen, it is important to guide them in thinking critically, not make all the decisions for them.  Think of it like training wheels... having them doesn't make you dependent on them, instead, the tiny tack-ons help a child find the balance they need to ride free.  The little wheels are gradually moved higher and higher until one day, they come off completely!  Sure, the child will still fall on occasion, but the general concept is achieved and the more they ride, the less they fall.

This is the power of interactive parenting.

My oldest 3 have graduated and moved on to make some mighty fine decisions minus mom input because of 18 years preceding direction and consistently pointing them towards Christ in their decision making process.

This is where I must rest now.  Reminding myself, as I am sharing with you - we are right where we should be: her ready for independence and me realizing how much I am going to miss this.  I've been active mom for 25 years, and now it is time to help her fluff her wings and prepare to fly.

Who says motherhood is easy?

We can get up each morning, have our prayers and renderings, do our lessons, and... I am finding... the more I let go of my anxiety over it, the more we are enjoying these last weeks together.  I can smile because I know she is going to be OK and she can trust me because she knows I will be too.

I pray your homeschooling days are treasured beyond priceless and that your lessons go far beyond books and the time they have under your roof.

Blessings,






P.S. I DO keep my Instagram updated if you want to see our latest escapades, especially when there are post delays!  Follow the link in-text.

 

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HMJ: A Homeschool Mom's Fears Come True

Brooke is a Junior in high school now.  Her 18 year old brother has been her best friend since forever, they've done life together since the day she was born.  He always looked out for her and she was always secure in his companionship.  But big brother is graduated now and this is her first year, ever, having to do school, and much of life, on-her-own.  

It's been an adjustment.

She doesn't like being alone.

After picking her up from a friend's soccer game on Saturday and learning she was given a tour of their small private school afterwards, I couldn't help but ask if it made her want to attend instead of homeschooling.  I expected her to say yes, and she did, but what actually threw me was what followed the "yes".  

Every Friday since we started school we have some version of  a break-down.  A resistance beyond the normal "I don't feel like it" seems to cast a dark cloud over our day, and where we have had fun and striving all week long, it just suddenly falls apart.  Sitting in the car, driving back from the soccer game, she offered up her reason: she wants to go to school with her friends.

It hurt.

It cut deep.

The natural thought process was that she was choosing friends over awesome mom!  My heart sobbed but my words stayed inside.  I appreciated her honesty and I didn't want to do anything which might cause her to be afraid to open up in the future.  After some thought, I suggested the perks to homeschooling over public (or private) schooling.  She wasn't buying it. So I reserved the rest and let the weekend simply go on.

I guess another component feeding my initial struggle was knowing how tough of an adjustment it had been to go from homeschooling multiples to teaching just one.  I reconciled the transition by realizing how Brooke and I were kindred spirits and we would have a grand time with her last two years, one-on-one.  Praying over the heart-ache of Saturday I wondered if I was holding on when I should let go.  I even went so far as to look up tuition at her friends' school.  But as my thoughts swirled I felt that gentle tug of the Spirit and God's sweet voice reminding me, "I have called you to homeschool".  

It was a three day weekend, we took Monday off for hubby's birthday. I had a lot of time to pray and think while God's words eased my soul.  As my thoughts began to collect and conclude I decided to do a search, "What do I do when my homeschooler says she wants to go to public school"!  No joke!  I think I wanted the reassurance that I wasn't physically alone (I know I'm never spiritually alone!).I was also searching for confirmation in the feelings and conclusions I was coming to.  The results were a nod to my heart and I felt virtually 'cheered on' to go forward.

I stopped worrying whether or not I was getting it right and instead, I started TRUSTING.

As I Trusted, I could begin to problem solve. First of all, I was determined to communicate that homeschooling was a non-negotiable. I could make sure she knew that in a gentle, non-argumentative way... a way which wouldn't spur rebellion, rather, that would stir appreciation for our steadfastness.  I also knew I wanted her to have an active roll in our decision to follow through on God's call to homeschool.  I could set parameters and bring her in to move the details around within.

I prayed as I prepared... prayed God would ready our hearts for a good discussion.

Application time: Tuesday morning we ditched a few of our subjects and instead invested that time in a "class meeting".  I gently explained how we needed to talk about our car drive conversation but that first, we needed to open in prayer.  We bowed our heads and asked God to help us really listen to each other and guide us to good solutions.  After "Amen", I thanked her for her honesty on Saturday.  I confessed it was hard to digest and how I wanted her to know I was NOT mad at her.  I went on to explain how homeschooling was what God had called us to do and I felt I would be going against His call for us if I was to put her in regular school.  But that I wanted to HEAR her and help her to still be able to love homeschooling.

With the introduction out of the way, I proceeded to explain how we were going to make a pros and cons list.  I clarified how it would not change our directive to homeschool but that my hope was to use the list as a tool to help us resolve her longings. I placed a piece of paper between us and we started by dividing it into two categories : "Regular School" vs. Homeschool.  Then we subdivided each of those into Pros and Cons. 

With these parameters in place I asked, "Why do you want to go to regular school?".  Her reply was as expected: friends.  She doesn't like being alone and she felt her schooling experience would be enlivened by other bodies to share it with.  She also couldn't help but be curious about their school days life.  From this angle we began to fill in the various empty columns.  We openly discussed how many of the regular school pros could be fulfilled by a little bit of elbow grease in homeschool.  The more we talked and the longer our list grew, the more her confidence in homeschooling grew as well.  

By the end of our discussion we had fleshed out the most important things to her in schooling and all weighed heavily in favor of Homeschooling.  She did NOT want to get up early, or do 5-day school weeks, or be gone all day and then busy all evening with homework causing her to miss family time.  She wanted time with friends, but not at the sacrifice of all the best parts of homeschooling for her.  From here, we moved forward.

We began to talk about how she could enjoy friends AND homeschooling at the same time.  We couldn't fix having a cafeteria lunch with them, seeing them in the hall between classes, or sharing a classroom.  But here is what we could do:

• Remember the perks of homeschooling.  Classes are done sooner, sleeping in till 7 is nice and our 4 day school weeks are valued... among many other things (notice all the pictures with her cat?  She admitted she loves doing school with him, "You can't do school with your cat in public school"!)
• Get more involved with our local homeschool association.  Coops are a good solution as well, but we didn't feel it would be a good fit for us.  We are actively pursuing starting a high school kids hang out for homeschoolers where they can all get together a few times a month and do cool, memorable and engaging activities.
• Get involved in extracurricular activities. To fulfill the void of "clubs" which regular school offers, she has decided to get involved with some others around here.  She picked 4H because she can work with her bunny and she is hoping to also do the Archery segment (and/or photography).  She is also talking about doing Volleyball next fall through our homeschool association.
• We are going to become yearbook editors!  To address her longing to have and be a part of a yearbook, we are going to continue photo documenting everything.  Our association has a yearbook but I believe it is mostly for sports.  I will be checking into this and either seeing if I can join forces with the existing group or we will make our own.
• Start a study group.  Of all the points we brainstormed, I think her favorite is study hang-outs!  She talked to her two closest friends about getting together regularly to do homework and hang out together.  I suspect she will simply save her school work from those days so she can do it all in the evenings as they all sit and work together.

Arts and Crafts "club" this week with the help of Michael's!

I am excited for her and proud of her accepting the terms and working maturely with me for results.  Until she is licensed to drive, I know it will be a lot for Taxi Mom, but I am happy to keep hopping... these days are fleeting and I don't want to miss them... I want her to be able to look back on high school with memories as fond (or more so!) as her public/private school peers.


Have your kids ever asked, at any age, to go to public school?  How did you manage it?  Here is what I figured out:

#1 - Don't take it personal.  It isn't you... not in the least.
#2 - Take a deep breath and walk away if you don't think you can manage the situation without blowing your lid!  You can say nothing at the moment or a simple, calm, "I'm sorry you feel that way."
#3 - Pray God will give you wisdom and words.

#4 - When you are collected for a calm conversation, ask, "Why do you want to go to public/private school?" 
#5 -As they talk, really listen, hear what they are saying and all the words in between.
#6 -  Respond constructively.  Pray together that God would guide your discussion and bring to mind and heart some good solutions.  
#7 - Make a pros and cons list where you BOTH are honest about what goes on the list. 
#8 - Be willing to admit that some gaps can not be filled.  You can also point out that neither scenario provides a perfect solution but homeschooling is simply the solution best for your family.
#9 -Look for realistic options to fill the missing pieces and follow through on them.
 #10 -Thank your child for their openness and honesty and encourage them to continue coming to you.  Empathize.

Be sure to pray throughout the conversation as well... especially if you find your patience tested.  I know some kiddos are more challenging than others... let God be your strength and guide; beginning, middle and end.

One other thing we found helpful was re-assessing our schedule.  Brooke's THREE maths were pretty cool, but also pretty overwhelming.  She dropped Pre-Calculus, at least till Consumer Math is done (and possibly till next year).  We also switched French to twice a week instead of all week and adjusted our order of work to provide better flow.  One of the many perks of homeschooling is the ability to switch things up when they just-aren't-working or meeting your needs.

The results?  When Friday came, she was a bit off first thing in the morning.  But she quickly recovered and we had a fabulous day!  Looking forward to the Christian Youth in Action banquet probably helped too:

...she helped demonstrate their work from the summer outreach.  But in all honesty, it wasn't the banquet itself she looked forward to, it was her friends whom I picked up so they could join us for the event!

Homeschooling isn't always a cake walk.  I want to say it is easy and a joy every single day.  But like all of life, it has it's good days and it's bad.  We have our wanting to give up days and having to push through days... but we also have those wonderful, drifting towards perfect days.  There are those days where you look up and see your budding student working hard, 'getting it', striving for it and growing through it moments... and you swell with holy pride because you were part of making THAT happen...and right then, every single trying moment is worth it for that one moment when the light bulb turns ON.

I pray you find strength and peace for the homeschooling days, both easy and hard, to persevere, stand your ground, give grace and find hope.

Blessings,

You can click here to see some of the great blogs I am linking up today ...

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