Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once. Julius Caesar (Act II, Scene ii) by William Shakespeare
Many people consider homeschooling but never even get started because their fears destroy their desire for this wonderful lifestyle.
Others start homeschooling but don’t enjoy the experience because they are constantly afraid that they are not doing things right or not doing enough.
They are afraid
I think they are afraid that somehow or other, they will miss out a really important part of their child’s education. They are afraid that some educational guru will come and expose them as ‘frauds’. They worry too much about about the opinions of unimportant others.
My answer is simple. Don’t worry. I know it’s easy to say that. But really – don’t worry. Homeschooled young adults have a reputation for being well-rounded, well-educated young people. And you, doing your best in your home with all your daily life problems are going to do better or as well as a teacher in a classroom, with all her/his daily life problems, and with a whole class full of children, and without the passionate love and concern for your child that you have.
Nobody said you have to be an expert. You just need to be an intelligent, willing parent.
They make mistakes
We all get things wrong. We all make mistakes in our parenting. I make as many mistakes as anyone. But I say with confidence that it’s okay to make mistakes, and it’s okay to be less than perfect. And it’s okay to give your child a childhood rich with experience, learning opportunities and love, even though it won’t be perfect.
Of course there will always be people who will try to distract and pull you down. That’s their problem, not yours. People have said outrageous things to me and my children over the years and I’ve got used to it. It’s not nice, but it doesn’t throw me.
As you grow in homeschooling confidence and in parenting experience, so you will be stronger and more able to resist negative pressures and your own fears.
Don’t fear what other people will say or think, respond to them courteously, with a smile. And focus on ENJOYING homeschooling.
Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt. Measure for Measure, (Act I Scene iv) by William Shakespeare
Please scroll down and leave a comment below, I love to hear your feedback.
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Thanks again for the encouragement Stephanie. I think a biggie for most of us ïs worrying what other people think about what we are doing and the choices we have made for our families. But at the end of the day it really doesn’t matter what others think of us. If I know I am doing what is right for my family that is all that matters. I also think it is very important to surround ourselves with people who are heading on the same journey as us and to avoid “toxic” people (as much as we are able to!). Thanks again, Suzy
How true! We have only been homeschooling now for just over a year but I am so pleased we faced our fears and just started. The support of the local group here has been of tremendous benefit to us! I love this short article, Shakespeare is right.
Stephanie, THANK YOU, THANK YOU so much for this article!! Yes, I often wonder ‘am I doing enough’. Specially in the light of a busy and stressful two years I wonder how much I actually taught my children. But my children learned that life is not fair, that giving is more important than getting, than people are infinitely more important than things, or a bit of discomfort. They learned to deal with stressful life situations, to live with 3 generations in one house and be nice mostly. We’ve learned to give, to forgive, to compromise, to forgive, to love unconditionally, to forgive : )…to be gracious.. that God is our sufficiency. Thank you for reminding me of that. Love you heaps!
I love this article. I may even try to get it published in our state homeschooling magazine, if I may have your permission?
Love the quotes from the Bard too.
Suzy,
we do worry about what others think, don’t we? And you are right about needing to avoid toxic people, because they do only distract us from what we know is right for us and our own families.
Happy homeschooling today.
Stephanie 🙂
Donna,
Thanks for posting – it encourages me right back to hear from people.
A local support group with like-minded friends is so precious! I am glad they are there for you.
Stephanie 🙂
Elizabeth,
Thanks for your encouragement to me. Yes, children learn so much in difficult times. In fact they learn so much that we adults haven’t got listed on their ‘timetable’. It’s the ‘hidden curriculum’. And in a gentle, loving family like yours the hidden curriculum is more precious than gold.
Happy mothering,
Stephanie 🙂
Sandy,
Yes, most certainly you have permission. If you look at the bottom of the article, there is a ‘permission’ box, and a note to add to the article when publishing.
Thanks for thinking of doing this.
Stephanie 🙂