Since We’re Basically All Homeschooling, Time For a Pep Talk

It feels like it’s time for a homeschooling pep talk — or maybe it’s just me that needs it right about now 😂.

As a lot of parents are basically being thrown into homeschooling for at least a few months, consider this my “it’s all going to be okay” post.

And it really will be okay — maybe even better than okay — because as a parent, no matter where you send your kids for “school”, you are always going to be your kids’ primary educator.

You are always going to be the one your kids look to for the answers to life. So don’t freak out if you find yourself unexpectedly homeschooling this year — because you got this, parents! You were made for this!

Even better, God is pouring His grace out upon you to give your kids everything they need to become awesome, faithful well-adjusted humans. Everything!

That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t seek out “help” — honestly, the key is to find good people to support you in your mission of educating your kids.

We’ve employed all kinds of help over the years — especially when it comes to things I’m not good at (like violin for example!). Being your kids primary educator means prayerfully asking God for help and guidance — and finding good help to accomplish your mission.

Include God in the process.  He wants you to accomplish your goal of helping your kids become well-educated, loving, kind individuals who will stand firm against the naysayers of the world — and live the life they were created to live.

Which brings me to this book I’m holding below.

Yes, it’s been beaten up over the years, but good literature will stand the test of time, and even if you fail at all other things this year, make sure you find some amazing literature for your kids and get them reading!

If you can introduce your kids to good literature, you’re about 75% ahead of the rest of the country — so don’t sweat homeschooling too much.

Get your kids reading.  Get them critically thinking about the big things of life and allow a great book to teach them so much more than just their ABC’s.

You can even find some great read-aloud books if you are so inclined. It’s a great way to connect with your kids and slow down a bit, too. It actually makes you sit — a rare occasion for many moms. Add a cup of coffee or tea and it just might become a ritual you all enjoy.

Now that you are convinced this is a challenge you can tackle, how about a little dive into the #1 question I received when I first started homeschooling: “What about socialization?”

Seriously, everybody always seemed so concerned about this topic!

It seems to be tied to the fear that if you homeschool your kids, they will end up being unable to make eye contact or relate to other people to whom they aren’t related.

In a nutshell, some people are afraid that, if they homeschool, their kids won’t have any friends and will live a lonely life.

It’s silly, really — because the truth is, you can have good socialization and really, really bad socialization going on in a brick and mortar school (when it’s not a pandemic, that is 😬).

I know people who still haven’t fully recovered from the bullying and meanness in the classroom as a kid.

The bad experiences and bad influences kids encounter aren’t anything to sneeze at. Throw social media in to the mix and some kids literally spend all their waking hours feeling bad about about the person they are.

So, can we all agree that not all “socialization” is actually good for our kids?

That being said, I know great kids who have gone through public, private and homeschooled situations — and it seems the common factor is parents who are involved in their kids’ lives.

No matter your choices for your kids’ education, stay involved. Take breaks with your kids — even if just around the neighborhood — have family meals, pray together and go to church together.

You have no idea how much your love and influence matter! So make time for your kids a priority. Make family time a priority.

One of the bonuses of homeschooling is your kids will actually grow to be closer to each other, rather than always running in separate directions.

Some of your kids’ best friends will, indeed, be their own family members — what a gift to actually enjoy your own family! Isn’t that how it was always supposed to be, anyway?

Parents, make your house a HOME your kids love to be in. Make family meals and family prayers and good old-fashioned fun a part of your family culture.

If you take time to invest in your family, your kids will look back on family with fondness, and they will take that example with them into their own lives.

By the way, it’s not that your kids won’t have friends outside of home. Another great bonus of homeschooling is you can choose the activities that works with your kids’ personality and temperament — and in so doing, they will naturally make friends outside of the home.

But beyond that, I’ve always seen part of my job as a parent to help my kids learn to embrace a life of virtue — and in doing so, they will end up being more pleasant people to be around. Who knew?

In focusing on the virtues, your kids will eventually grow to be more loving, patient, kind people.  I say “eventually” because raising good kids is all about the long game. So don’t get discouraged!

In teaching the virtues, you will be preparing your kids to both recognize what makes a good friend and also become a good friend to others — which is pretty essential to living a meaningful life.

Besides, most of the homeschooling kids I know have loads of socialization and are super well-adjusted and fun to be around.

Yes, you will find “quirky” kids who were homeschooled — but you will find that everywhere and from all educational choices — but who said being “quirky” was a bad thing?

Look at all the great artists and intellects and Saints and you are going to discover a lot of super, quirky people.

Part of the beauty of this world, is all the unique, unrepeatable, beautiful souls walking around — and if we teach our kids to cherish their own uniqueness and to cherish that of others, I would say we have prepared them quite well to do beautiful things with their lives.

The rest is up to them and God. Don’t forget we have a role, but we also have to allow them to grow up and embrace God and His place in their lives, independent of us.

So don’t think this all depends upon you!

So that’s my pep talk.  You got this parents! Homeschool away!👊🏼