Go from Overwhelmed Parent to Confident Teacher
When people describe how they feel as they begin homeschooling, they use words like “anxious,” “intimidated,” “overwhelmed” … even “terrified.”
Common questions include:
“What if I leave something out?”
“What if I goof up my kid?”
More than 30 years later, I still remember having all those fears and more!
Homeschooling was barely legal when we began in 1989. To add to my challenge, we lived in a foreign country where I had NO access to traditional homeschool resources. But God had laid the conviction to homeschool on our hearts, and I was desperate! So I advertised “a homeschool support meeting” in a community newspaper and waited to see who would show up. About eight homeschool mommies came. I brought cookies, punch, and my 3-year-old. They looked at me as if I was crazy…and maybe I was. I had no expertise at all, but I was desperate enough to know THEY knew what I needed to learn. So I asked if they’d each be willing to share just one thing that had worked well for them, and month after month, they did.
That original group has grown and is still going strong 33 years later! 🙂 When we moved back to the States, I looked for another group of homeschool mamas and found my “Tuesday Morning Coffee Group.” Each week, we met to drink coffee, laugh, share openly, and pray. Each year brought new questions and challenges, but those ladies–some experienced, others more on my own level–were my lifeline. We walked each other through life together, and I LEARNED SO MUCH! My Homeschool Mentor is in honor of Sue, Becky, Susan, Renee, and so many others who gave so much of themselves.
Now it’s my honor to pass to you what I learned from them.
I firmly believe...
- God gives children to parents for a reason.
- Raising them is a holy responsibility and an honor.
- God promises to equip us for the work He’s called us to do.
- No one knows or loves your child more than you do.
- Each child is unique.
- Their lives have purpose.
- And that children are naturally curious and designed to learn … we just have to figure out HOW they learn and how to keep their curiosity kindled.
A Homeschool Mom's View on My Homeschool Mentor
Testimonials from Homeschool Moms
"Your book is amazing. It changed my life as a homeschool mom educator."
Toya
"As a first year homeschooler I've had a bit of guilt about my desire of leaning towards unschooling. This inspired me to do more adventurous things such as going to museums, field trips, hiking, gardening, cooking, & creating fun projects instead of sitting at a desk. She thrives in these environments anyway, and I don't want to take that away."
Janelle
"I love the idea of an online Coffee Break! Parents need to know there’s a 'safe' place like this where they can have open, honest discussions without feeling judged."
Anna