Homeschool Encouragement When Times are Tough

Homeschool Encouragement Portal has been designed to bring encouragement to any homeschooler who is going through a period of doubt and discouragement.

A homeschool mom recently wrote these words in her blog

Right now I am sick to death of home schooling. Today, I think I hate it. I’m tired of it. I’m tired of everything. I think right at this particular moment in time I could ship my kiddos off to public school and be thankful and grateful for some time to myself. Of course I’d probably hate myself tomorrow, but that’s how I feel right now.
I’m tired. I don’t feel like I’m doing as good of a job right now as I have before. I want some time to myself.
I’m drowning under tidal waves of guilt because I’m actually considering public school.
I’m laughing at myself for feeling so guilty…but I still feel guilty.
I feel like a failure for even considering the option.

What does a worn-out, burned-out, stressed-out, mom do?

Can you feel the despair in those words?

Grandpapa brings encouragement

It would be presumptuous of me, or anyone else for that matter, to think that any few words of homeschool encouragement will automatically lift the burden of despair from the shoulders of this mom who voices the personal experience of so many of us.

Our individual circumstances and challenges are just too diverse!

The hormonal and chemical balance of our bodies, the particular set of values that we hold and the impact of the words and actions of important people in our lives all work together to determine our state of mind at any particular point in time. Furthermore,

We must also face the fact that sometimes we just are not ready for any kind of encouragement!

Sometimes we choose to wallow in our despair! It seems to bring some kind masochistic pleasure when we tell ourselves, and anyone else who is willing to listen, about our woes and troubles and how we are the victim of circumstances and....

Three Pearls of Wisdom

Having said all of the above, I would like to offer a helping hand in the form of three pearls of wisdom - homeschool encouragement, if you please - to those who might be in the valley of despair right now:

1. Make or find and opportunity to verbalize your feelings of discouragement. This could be done in different ways e.g.

Write them down or write about it in a blog or diary of some sorts
Tell it to someone you trust and who will have empathy for your situation
Pray about it, talk to God about it and search the Scriptures for guidance!

2. Analyze your present situation in terms of

What aspects of your situation are the result of your own decisions and choices?
What aspects of your situation are completely outside of your own control?
What aspect/s of your situation can be changed by decisions within your own control?

3. Do not make any major decision while you are in a state of despair! Play for time. Wait for a few days, even weeks, before making life changing decisions.

Don't misunderstand me. Sometimes we must make decisions, and we must make them quickly. What I am saying, however, is:

Do not make decisions that are largely influenced by your own feelings of discouragement or despair.
Wait until you can make a reasonably rational decision of sorts.

Hop, skip and jump to any one, or all of the folowing articles for additional encouragement and support

* Too many Voices

* Fundamentals of Homeschooling

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