Reach Out and Touch Someone
Somewhere between, “Only you can do what you have to do,” and, “You cannot do it alone,” is the homeschool mom trying to figure out if this was a huge mistake; if the homeschool friends who coaxed her to try it have sold her a bill of goods; if she isn’t cut out for this; if she should just admit defeat and quit.
Also somewhere is the homeschool mom who has persevered through seemingly impossible challenges, likely because she had friends in the journey who lovingly helped her keep her eye on the goal, and on God, the Faithful One.
So, how can we get these somewhere-out-there moms together? Hm. Let me think… maybe a support group? Yes! And guess what – if you are reading this you are already in a fantastic support group right now. Yes, I may be a little biased, but I know it is true!
My first time attending Mom’s Night Out in 1999, just weeks into the adventure, someone asking how we were doing. Naturally shy and easily intimidated, I could have held back, but oh how I needed help. We had good days, sometimes, but honestly, many were pretty miserable, so I gushed out something like, “I don’t know what’s wrong. We all end up crying. Today, both kids were under the table, crying. I’m at my wits end.” These wonderful experienced moms helped me refocus, make important changes to my perspective and my approach. They invited me to their homes and into their beautiful and very real lives.
A friend once said, “Don’t judge homeschooling by your first year!” Well, here we are experiencing a very challenging year to say the least, and record numbers of families trying private home education for the first time. They are absolutely judging homeschooling by this first year. Experienced families, thank you for being available to listen and counsel at such a time as this.
Families in what I call “The Zone” – meaning several years of home education accomplished, still looking at several years ahead, I bet you need support, too. Like a marathon, you need refreshment along the way. I remember. I never really felt I’d “arrived” because every year was different. The kids grew and changed. I grew and changed. Parents needed care. Illness, financial struggles, job uncertainty, the list goes on. What was a constant was God’s provision, often through the support of godly friends.
Our journey lasted sixteen years. With a lot of life challenges along the way, our kids are grown and have graduated. We are eternally grateful we did not quit. The support that sustained us is available to you, too.
Have you had someone on your mind lately? Don’t let days go by without reaching out. When you are struggling, don’t let days/weeks/months go by without reaching out. We really, deeply need each other! Yes, only you can do what you have to do, but you definitely, most certainly, unequivocally do NOT have to be alone.
