Homeschooling AnywayIt’s All About What’s Best…for YOUR Family.

In my opinion, some of the best blogs to read are the transparent ones…where the writer is honest, and sometimes painfully so. My journey down the road of homeschooling has rarely been easy, has been a constant struggle against myself (discipline-wise), but at times has been hugely rewarding. I’d like to tell you why I started Homeschooling Anyway, and how it almost bit the dust. It’ll be a quick read — not too long.

Five years ago, we lost a baby sometime around the 15th or 16th week of pregnancy. We didn’t know he’d died until two or three weeks later (though I knew something was wrong…mothers always know). What followed was several months of what I have termed “walking the nightmare,” though my actual journey out of grief took about four years. If you’ve experienced the loss of a child — whether that child was 5, 10, or 30, or a much-hoped for unborn baby — you know what I’m talking about. This happened during the summer. When fall came around, we were back to homeschooling…anyway.

Three years ago, after a high-risk pregnancy, we had another baby, our beautiful and prococious Bethany. During my pregnancy and through her baby- and toddlerhood, we homeschooled…anyway.

One day before Bethany turned three weeks old, in March of 2006, my husband was diagnosed with a blood cancer called multiple myeloma. He received radiation treatments for two tumors in the vertebra of his neck. We homeschooled…anyway.

Because of these situations we’ve faced, and continue to face, I developed a real heart for other hurting homeschooling moms. We are not immune to the difficulties of life, and they can be amplified by the stress of trying to maintain the “superwoman” image that so many of us feel we have to put forward.

I’m here at Homeschooling Anyway to let you know you’re not alone. If you’re having a rough time, even if it isn’t as dramatic as someone else’s situation, you’re certainly welcome here.

But as I said, this blog almost bit the dust. It began as a blog over on Homeschool Blogger, and from that I started a website. I was giving away a free report on the site, and plan to get that back up real soon (it’s pretty cool). A few months ago, I felt that Homeschooling Anyway really wasn’t working as a static website and would benefit from being a blog, instead. And I really wanted to be able to interact with my readers.

But…life has a way of skewing things. I was deeply hurt last fall by something homeschool-related (outside of my family), and slowly began to lose my motivation for the site. Got back some of it, built the blog, then lost that “umph” again. Then yesterday I received a comment from Denise, an old Homeschool Blogger friend, who found me here. Was it a sign from the Lord to keep it going? Not sure…possibly. We’ll see where this goes.

Thanks, Denise.

Homeschooling without support is like trying to climb a mountain by yourself. (Washington State's beautiful Mt. Rainier)

Here in Washington State, a favorite peak of local climbers is our beautiful Mount Rainier. It’s gorgeous as it rises above other hills to glisten in the sun. Many people love to ski, board, or hike on its lower slopes, but braver souls dare to conquer the top by climbing. No wise climber, though, would attempt such a feat alone. Reaching for that pinnacle with a partner or group has saved the life of many an adventurer.

In the same way, homeschoolers need to group together to offer moral support and encouragement. Often, it’s the only way we make it to the top. It’s true: there is strength in numbers.

Whether you’re a veteran homeschooler, one who’s just starting out, or somewhere in between, it’s a good bet you’ve hit a bump in the road at least once or twice. And it could be that bump was more like a mountain staring you down.

What mountain are you facing today?

Is it a lack of motivation? We all encounter that at some point in the school year. For me, it tends to hit around fall, winter, spring, summer…you get it. I’ve learned that sometimes we need to look around, find what motivates us, then reach out and grab it.

It doesn’t always seek us out, does it?

And there are times when our lack of motivation is more than just a case of boredom and being tired of the same old, same old. I’ll examine the symptoms of depression–which is ever so much more than just a case of the blahs– in a few upcoming posts. I know all about it…I’ve been there.

Marital and financial stress can also take a toll on our home education endeavors, let alone our precious family relationships. Regarding homeschooling, do both parents agree that this is even the right path for your family? Do you argue about the materials being used (or what’s being spent on the materials)? Perhaps you’re a single parent, trying to be mom and dad, and hold down a job, all while purposing in your heart to not give up this educational choice you so strongly believe in.

We all know what else causes stress, though perhaps at a different level: the condition of our homes. It’s downright hard to teach your children in a messy house. I know, I know – the myriad of books and projects can make the homeschooling household look like every single room has been ransacked by a crazy mob, but there is a way to get organized and find peace…really.

And what if your child decides he no longer wants to be homeschooled? What if you decide you don’t want to teach anymore? Don’t give up yet! There are many options available if you want to keep your kids at home.

Any of the bumps I’ve mentioned can look like mountains when you’re up against them. And they sure can be mountains. But if you’ve run up against your own Mount Rainier, you’ve discovered what a mountain really is. Personal tragedy, such as the loss of a loved one, can be devastating…your own personal nightmare. Perhaps an illness like cancer has struck a family member, or you. And what about divorce? How do you go on?

These are some of the topics I’ll be covering here. I hope you’ll find that spark of encouragement — that reason to keep walking — that you’re looking for.

Homeschooling Anyway, once just a regular old, ho-hum website, is now a blog — a place where you can come to get support and encouragement, motivation and ideas, and–hopefully–a perspective you may not be getting anywhere else.

I hope that you’ll leave a comment so I can get to know you. This is something that was sorely lacking before Homeschooling Anyway became a blog–I didn’t know my readers!

Welcome, my friends…and stay tuned.