\n<\/em>Ecclesiastes 4:9<\/em><\/p>\n
From the moment our children are born, we are teachers. We encourage, set boundaries, watch for every developmental milestone, and celebrate. We seek advice from parents, friends, doctors, books, and the Internet because we know this is new, and we are inexperienced. We play with our kids, read to them, let them help with things around the house, take them to the park, and expose them to new things. It\u2019s easy to give them new experiences because their \u201cwhiteboard\u201d is blank. Everything is new! In this season, we all rely on our people resources to ensure we are doing things in the best way. Did you consider this the beginning of a homeschooling journey? I didn\u2019t. In retrospect, it was <\/em>homeschooling, and the same things applied at every phase of homeschooling I would enter at a later time.<\/p>\n Until schooling began, we had a general understanding of our role and familiar resources. School tends to bring a sense of enormous responsibility that we often feel inadequately prepared for. The feelings of inadequacy often escalate during high school years because the stakes of launching a student into the world are very high. Yet, why are any of these seasons any different than where we\u2019ve been with little ones?<\/p>\n In every schooling season, we encourage, set boundaries, watch for milestones, and celebrate new things just as we did when our kids were small. The change isn\u2019t in the role. The change is in the growing complexity of topics. Now, it\u2019s not just parenting; it\u2019s called school<\/em>! We’ve given this new thirteen-year season a title, even though our role doesn\u2019t change significantly. It also doesn\u2019t matter whether we begin homeschooling our little ones or start homeschooling in high school. We continue to teach our children what they need to know and prepare them for life beyond our home, just as we have since they were born. We also need a community of mentors in every season.<\/p>\n Why are so many hesitant to call for help outside of social media? The people we\u2019ve always relied on may not be the right ones now, leaving us feeling high and dry. In uncertainty, many of us tend to cocoon and go it alone. Yet homeschoolers are everywhere and generally eager to help. We always need a pool of human resources\u2014the ones we call on when we feel stressed, overwhelmed, or clueless. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. There are many homeschoolers available who are ready to support and guide you.<\/p>\n We innately know that experienced people are out there, but in our feelings of inadequacy, we tend to hide and ask questions in a way that no one knows who we are, such as on Facebook. After all, what if we fail at this critical role? Let\u2019s read the rest of Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. \u201cIf either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up<\/em>.\u201d Remember, seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but a testament to your commitment to your child’s education. With the proper support, you can navigate the challenges of homeschooling with confidence.<\/p>\n As you begin homeschooling (whether at kindergarten or high school), it is beneficial for you and your children to have a community of other homeschooling families. You both need other homeschooling friends! There are many ways to accomplish having this community, both small and large.<\/p>\n For younger kids, if you have a church with other homeschool families, this is a great place to build this community. You can meet families for playdates or even periodic meals at each other\u2019s houses with time to play and visit. Your local library may offer story sessions for young children, where you can meet other parents, and your kids can make friends. Many Facebook groups have notices about play dates. Some groups are formed simply around taking field trips together. All are good options to provide a community for you and your family.<\/p>\n For kids of any age, you may opt for a small group. Find a family or two with similar interests and values, and children of similar ages. Join together a couple of times during the week to share teaching, where each of you offers out of your strengths and interests. Let your sessions grow as interests and children grow. You may opt to include more families down the road, or you may opt to keep it small and easy.<\/p>\n Consider the value of joining a co-op, especially when kids are middle and high school age. Co-ops offer a range of activities, classes, and competitions. Many shy away from it. Why? Being involved in a group of any size requires investment on our part. But think of it as an investment in your child’s education and your growth. We often think we just want to take our child to a group for friends and activities. That\u2019s good, but what about us? In life, the more we invest, the greater the return we receive. By investing in a group, you are not just providing your child with a supportive learning environment, but also allowing yourself to learn and grow alongside them.<\/p>\n \u201cThe point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.\u201d 2 Corinthians 9:5-7<\/em><\/p>\n I can attest that some of my best growth as a homeschooler came from the investment in teaching classes at my co-op and coaching in my daughter\u2019s volleyball program. I taught what I wanted my kids to learn, as well as what they wanted to learn and do. Not only did others benefit from my knowledge, but I grew tremendously. Yes, it takes time. Yes, it is totally worth doing! Investing in my community tightly bound me to friends that I needed more than I knew when I joined. I hold many of these friendships dear today, eleven years after graduating my last child. These were the parents who guided me, offered suggestions, listened to me when I was down, encouraged me, and shared in my journey. My homeschooling would have been severely lacking had I not had this amazing community of people I respected, looked up to, and befriended. You can gain similar benefits from any group you begin or join. All will take effort. All are very much worth it!<\/p>\n You may also want to consider contacting an NCHE mentor. You can spend time meeting with someone experienced in situations like yours who can offer encouragement and advice. If you come to the Thrive! Conference at the end of May, you\u2019ll also have the opportunity to connect with your regional liaison and other homeschoolers.<\/p>\n How do you find other homeschoolers if you don\u2019t already know them? NCHE has answers! Visit NCHE.com, then select Community and search for a group near you. Most of North Carolina offers a wide range of group options, allowing you to find a good fit for your family. There are liaisons for each region who can assist you in finding a good fit or in helping you begin a new group as needed. As I mentioned earlier, a new group can be as simple as a couple of other families joining together with you to teach various subjects to your children as a small community rather than a co-op. For a mentor, click on Helps on the NCHE website.<\/p>\n Be blessed by investing in a community of like-minded parents who are also preparing their children for life beyond home. Grow each other, and make friends for a lifetime. That is the investment in yourself that you will cherish for years to come, because two or more are better than one<\/em>!
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