Updated: March 16, 2014
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What is Support?
Dictionary.com defines support as follows,
sup·port
1. to bear or hold up (a load, mass, structure, part, etc.); serve as a foundation for.2. to sustain or withstand (weight, pressure, strain, etc.) without giving way; serve as a prop for.3. to undergo or endure, especially with patience or submission; tolerate.4. to sustain (a person, the mind, spirits, courage, etc.) under trial or affliction: They supported him throughout his ordeal.5. to maintain (a person, family, establishment, institution, etc.) by supplying with things necessary to existence; provide for: to support a family.
After reading through these definitions, I would definitely say that a homeschooling mom or dad needs support. Our culture tells us we can do it all, have it all and be happy, but I have found that trying to do it all without support leads me down a road of burnout, frustration and exhaustion. I don’t think we were meant to traverse this life alone and God will put people in our lives to help and support us if we are willing to open ourselves up to people. We have to let down the walls and learn to be more transparent. I have had to learn to ask for help.
Who Do We Go to for Support?
- Our Spouse – Homeschool moms need to reach out to their spouse for support. Sometimes we run around making time for everyone but the love of our lives and by not giving them time, we alienate one of our biggest avenues of support. I am working on spending less time on social media and the computer at night so that I can spend more time with him. I am blessed to have a very supportive husband who will watch the kids, help with dishes and laundry and step in as “the principal” when I need him. He has taken days off work to help me do the curriculum shopping at the used book fair, he attends homeschool conventions with me. He is great for bouncing off ideas and just listening when I am frustrated or concerned about one of the kids.
- Our Family – I was raised in a homeschooling family and I still live close to my parents and siblings. Family can be a great source of support. I can call Mom to talk and ask for parenting advice. My sister and I trade-off babysitting, which has been a big blessing. I also have great in-laws out-of-state that have come to visit and help out on occasion. I have heard of families involving grandparents in the teaching. You could have grandpa teach a history or Bible lesson to the kids or ask grandma to teach cooking, sewing, etc.
- Your local homeschool group - We have made connections with our local homeschool group and have made life-long friendships in the process. We get together for picnics, field trips, Mom’s meetings and visits to the park. Knowing that I have some like-minded families keeps me going and when I am with them I am reminded that I am not alone.
- Other Homeschool Moms – I found a network of support in other homeschool moms. We text or call each other when we need a good cry or an encouraging word. We swap materials and stories and support each other through co-op classes and prayer. We try to attend an annual mom’s retreat in our area each year and this is a great time of bonding and getting to know each other in a deeper way.
- Homeschool Conferences – We have found that attending a homeschool convention every couple of years or so is the “shot in the arm” so to speak that has helped us keep the fire alive. We are so encouraged and blessed by the speakers and resources that we come in contact at these events and we have met some great people in the process. I know that my parents have made lifelong friends by attending homeschool
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conventions through the years. Their homeschooling days are over, but they still keep in contact with some families we met at conferences over the years. We attended the Teach Them Diligently Convention last year and were very blessed. Click on the graphic at right for more information. We plan to attend the convention in Washington, DC this year. It will be one of the highlights of our year.
conventions through the years. Their homeschooling days are over, but they still keep in contact with some families we met at conferences over the years. We attended the Teach Them Diligently Convention last year and were very blessed. Click on the graphic at right for more information. We plan to attend the convention in Washington, DC this year. It will be one of the highlights of our year.
You may not be blessed to have some of these support systems, but there are all sorts of options out there that you can look for: churches, Bible study groups, online forums, online homeschool conferences and classes, etc. Pray and ask God to bring support into your life and watch Him work. He wants your homeschool to succeed. Support is so vital to help us keep up the faith.
Check out the other great posts today from my fellow crewmates and make sure to check out these blogs below.
Tara @ This Sweet Life
Mary @ Winecup Christian Homeschool
Meghan @ Quiet in the Chaos
Karen @ Tots and Me
Beth @ Weavings
Tawnee @ Adventures in Homeschooling
Karen @ My Harbor Lights
Amy @ Wildflower Ramblings
Kristi @ The Potter’s Hand Academy
