Episode 430 – The Advice Every New (& Seasoned) Homeschooling Mom Needs to Hear
Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we are talking about advice we’d give to a mom who is just getting started homeschooling. We talk about everything from knowing when it’s time to make the jump, to avoiding comparison, keeping things simple, and remembering what really matters most. Whether you’re just considering homeschooling or have been doing it for years, we hope this conversation offers some encouragement and reminds you that you can do this!
We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for supporting the Smiling Homeschooler. If you want a math curriculum that helps you and your kids smile, then check out a free trial at teachingtextbooks.com.
Today’s show is also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem Healthshare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, “We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman.
Lastly, the You’da Dad Daily calendar is up on our website! This is a page-a-day calendar that is the perfect Christmas gift for your husband. It is fun and encouraging, so head on over to https://store.familymanweb.com/2027-you-da-dad-daily-calendar/ to pick one up for your husband!
Have a great week and don’t forget to smile!
Episode Transcript:
Hey, everyone.Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler podcast.We’re glad you can join us again this week.Uh, before we begin, we do wanna say thank you to Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible.Uh, we really appreciate them, and they’re just an amazing, uh, supporter of the homeschool community, and the math curriculum that helps more homeschoolers smile.Uh, so go check ’em out at teachingtextbooks.com.We love them and we know you will, too.Um, really appreciate them.Also, today’s show is underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem Health Share, where members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through healthcare needs.As Todd likes to say, we use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries, and you can learn more about Redeem Health Share at samaritanministries.org/familyman, uh, and we appreciate them as well.All right, Dad, let’s go ahead and get started.And I do wanna clarify that Ben, on, when we’re at home, he does call me Dad.Yes.Um, ’cause I’ve been, like, watching, um, the old Duck Dynasty.It’s on Disney Plus.And I’ve been watching, like, uh, I don’t know, just c- not binge-watching, but I just, I find myself going back and watching ’em ’cause you can watch ’em in a really sh- short time because you take out the fronts and the backs and whatever.But, uh, Willie always refers to him as Phil, and I’m like, “D- d- does he call him Dad ever or?”So- YeahI just want you to know.I do.I just, since we don’t always say what my, your name is each time, I just, you know- I get itsay what it is.I get it.So.I know.We not, we are not of that age.Like, uh, the, I make him call me Mr. Wilson or sir.Yeah.I know some of you Texas people and Southern people do.Uh, even Jed, my youngest, he’ll say, “Yes, sir,” and I’m like, “Don’t call me sir.”He goes, “Why?”And I’m like, “I don’t wanna be called sir.I want you to call me Dad.”So there you go.Um, but it is, was a beautiful day here in Northern Indiana.Couldn’t get any better.Um, but uh, the weatherman says that we might be getting some snow this weekend, which is, uh, terrible and kinda wonderful-at the same time.Um, we always celebrate the first snow around our house, and, uh, we used to do that by going to Long John Silver’s.It’s a long story.Uh, but, uh, but, uh- Unfortunately, that one died a tragic death as Long John’s has slowly-uh, been just, you know, gone down.But we’re thinking about maybe doing Steak ‘n Shake instead, uh- Ooh.Hear about itwhich is, yeah, it’s, it’s a good one.Um, and of course, it doesn’t really matter, and maybe you don’t have a snow, uh, but you can celebrate something else of the first.And I just love celebrations, uh, of anything.As we talked, uh, m- weeks ago when we were talking about family culture, we, uh, one of our last episodes with Katherine, who is just about ready to have a baby in the next two and a half weeks, sometime in that time.Um, uh, but, uh, you know, it is part of your family culture.Well, real quick, you know, sometimes we do talk about, like, a product or something that we like.I do want, Dad, you, because sometimes you wait till the last, the end of the episode, and I want you to talk about it before the end of the episode.But the You to Dad Daily Calendar, which is like a page-a-day rip-off calendar, is available on our website.It’s not always the super easiest to find.I will say, uh, if you go to, uh, thesmilinghomeschooler.com and then click on store, and then go to featured products, I think it is, on the store.Uh, it’s not the first thing you click.Doesn’t take you straight there, so make sure you click around a little bit and you’ll find it, and also the Christmas game.But maybe just give a quick, um, why they should pick it up ’cause I think it just makes such a good gift for a dad.It’s inexpensive, uh, for, in the grand scheme of everything else that’s expensive nowadays.And, uh, if you’re just looking for ideas for your husband, you can guarantee this is gonna be a good one.So go ahead, Dad.Well, we start all off, I mean, this our, I don’t know, we’re almost at 25 years we’ve been doing this calendar.Over 22 probably.And, uh, it’s just a little page-a-day calendar like Ben mentioned.Um, it’s really, I think it’s one of the most powerful tools that we sell.You know, when, everybody thinks though when we do a book that we put on the, uh, y- you know, on our website, it just sells gobs.Um, you know, that’s not true.We, you know, uh, we just don’t sell a lot if I mention it.But the You to Dad Daily Calendar sells lots of calendars every year.And oftentimes, it’s the same dads who buy them each year.Um, and they’ll say, “Oh, I ask for lots of presents.Uh, I, I, I, I don’t, I, you know, there are a lot of things that I, I don’t ask for, but I ask for this thing every single year.”Or I get moms who say, “Oh, my, my husband always re- requests a You to Dad Daily Calendar every year.”Mm-hmm.And dads who buy them for their friends, um, and other dads, which is just amazing to me.Just today, I was looking at some of our orders, and they’re, they’re for four and six and s- 10 calendars at a time.And you know, um, we haven’t raised the price this year.Um, we’re just eating the cost like good Americans.Uh, and, uh, and, uh, and it’s just a, a huge, huge important tool.Uh, you can see like 90 comments, uh, product reviews of people who say really nice things about it- It’s super simple.It’s got quotes in it.They’re all geared for dads or husbands.Um, it has tips, it has challenges, it has lots of funny stuff in it.Um, so it’s just a fun thing to flip through the pages- Yeahuh, every day.Um, trivia that only a dad would care about, but just a really powerful tool.And again, uh, head on over to smilinghomeschooler.com, click on the store and, uh, s- you know, encourage your husband and get a Christmas gift at the same time, and support The Smiling Homeschooler.If you, you know, enjoy what we do, that’s a great way to help out too, so, um- In fact, Ben’s kids were over at my house today, uh, over in our barn, uh, making calendars.We were shrink-wrapping them and, uh, they’re getting the hang of it.They’re, they’re really, really good at it.Nice.So my kids have finally been replaced.And while you’re on our store, you can also pick up our To Bethlehem, a Christmas game.Maybe, maybe one of the few Christmas games out there on the market, um, that’s more than just Christmas Monopoly or- Yeahsomething like that.They haven’t asked yet, but as soon as those Christmas decorations come up, they, uh, I’m sure they will, ’cause that is a, a, a highlight of the Christmas season for us too, even though we made it.So, um- Yeahbut yeah.So talking, uh, our, kind of our topic is, today, and you posted over on Facebook, uh, as well, and just asked for some ad- you know, some what, what are some advice that, you know, for the new homeschooling mom.’Cause obviously, you know, we primarily are talking to, you know, moms who’ve been homeschooling for a while or for a few weeks or even just, you know, a couple days.But I think that, uh, sometimes that, that first, I think that first taste of homeschooling can be really important.Uh, and so there’s a lot of amazing advice, and maybe you can- Yeahkind of take it from there.But, uh, we’ve got some really good stuff.Well, maybe we’ll even back up a little fur- further because, you know, uh, Ben, I know for, for you, you were homeschooled.Mm.Rissa was homeschooled.Um, all our kids were homeschooled, and all the spouses except Josh were homeschooled.And even your kids today, I, I really appreciate them being brainwashed because they- Yeahthe, like, Grantlin goes like, “Josh was the one who went to dumb school.”You know, so, uh- She’s, uh, be careful how much you correct herof course, I need to correct her, and I told her, “Yeah, you’re right,” uh even though he was valedictorian of his class and he was, you know, smarter than all the Wilsons put together.Um, don’t tell him I said that.Um, but, uh, you know, for us, it was just kinda like, or for Ben andThey just kindaIt was just part of the fabric of life, that they just decided h- they, they didn’t even hardly decide to homeschool.Right.They just started homeschooling- It’s just kind of naturalbecause it was time.Yeah.But for a lot of people, including Debbie and me, you know, that was not our plan.And for a lot of the listeners, a lot of the people who are scrolling through the pages on social media, they didn’t wanna homeschool.Um, but whether it was COVID in 2020, or maybe it was some other thing that happened, or maybe an incident that happened at a school, and all of a sudden someone, some thought pops in their head as a still, small voice.I believe that that is the voice of God, by the way.And it whispers and says, “What do you think about homeschooling?”And, um, I know that for some moms that’s super, super scary because they just can’t imagine, um, h- teaching their own children.Even though one of those quotes or those thoughts that I find so f- intriguing is, like, it’s amazing how so many of us were, uh, products of the, of a public or institutional school, including a Christian private school, but we don’t think that we could homeschool our own children.I’m like, how, how is, what kind of product is that, you know?Um, so I v- I s- I told Ben, I said, “Why don’t we talk about this?”You know.And so my thinking was maybe you’re listening, you know, you found us on some kind of search.Um, and you found us and, and you’re just considering homeschooling.Um, maybe it’s, it’s in your heart.And maybe the first question you would ask, and I’m gonna ask you, Ben, you know, “Okay, so I’m thinking about doing it.I think we should homeschool.Should I wait till the, you know, the end of the year?Should I wait till the semester?What should I do?”Um, I know I’ve talked to lots.I mean, I’ve talked to moms at homeschool conventions who said, “We started homeschooling on Thursday.”Yeah.You know?Like they just couldn’t take it anymore.Maybe they had something that happened and they yanked their kid out of school.What do you think, Ben?I mean, I think if there’s something truly wrong and you, which, you know, and you have a very strong reason that you’re wanting to do this, I don’t think you should wait.I think you should make immediate corrective action as soon as you can, you know?So, you know, if your kid, if you feel like, especially if your kid’s, you know, in danger, and I don’t mean just physically, but I just mean, like, where this is not good, don’t just do it because it’s a nice round number.Do it as soon as you think you need to.Mm-hmm.You know?So, um, and I think this, you know, and, and obviously this is great if there is just some mom who happens to stumble across this, um, or if, you know, if you’re a listener and you are obviously already homeschooling and you wanna share this with a mom who’s thinking about it or just starting- Mm.Um, I think my, I, I love it when I hear, “I think we’re gonna homeschool.”Like, I just wanna, like, applaud that ’cause it is, it is a big thing.You know, for a lot of people, it does feel like joining a commune or, uh- YeahI’m gonna go, you know, live off the, the, you know, off the land.It’s just, it feels like a big deal to a lot of people.Um, and I think it’s important that, uh, that the homeschoolers who are already doing it, um, can put themselves back in the place of like what do we wanna tell those moms when they are, when they’re really considering it.So I would say don’t wait.If you think you need to do it, do it, and, uh, it’s gonna be fine.The schools, they’ll be fine.You know, it’s, it’s not asI mean, I get some states are harder, you know, and we’ll, we’ll cover that here in a minute, but, um, that’d be my first thought.Well, I ca- I can remember the comment on Focus on the Family.It was by Cal Thomas, who’s a, a co- commentator.And, uh, and he said, he told Jim Dobson, who’s in heaven now, and he said, “Jim, we need to treat our schools like they’re on fire, and we need to get our kids out.”I mean, ’cause basically what he was saying is we can’t wait around anymore.We can’t wait for the perfect time.’Cause I know there are lots of moms who feel like, you know, like you said, Ben, it’s, it’s a much huger deal for them to do it than for you to do it.I mean, it’s almost the same as saying, “Hey, we’re gonna go to the moon and start a colony there,” um- Mmbecause it feels so foreign and because it feels like only certain people should do it.Um, so I would agree.I would agree with Ben that, uh, if you’re feeling like it’s the time and you got your husband and your, your spouse on board, I’d say now’s the time to start.Yeah.Just I would do it, and I would strike while before the, uh, you know, before the iron cools.Yeah.Um, because it’s easy to be super pumped up about it, and then you go, “Oh, you know, maybe it’s not as bad as I really thought it was,” so.Right.I would.Well, I mean, you posted over on Facebook, ’cause there’s a lot, as you may guess, a lot of homeschooling moms who have a lot of wisdom, and just kinda said, “What advice would you give a mom who just started homeschooling?”So I think, um, there’s just, there’s so much good stuff out there, and I think our community is really awesome in terms of- Mm-hmmthey’re, they’re smiling homeschoolers who get it, you know?And you don’t see stuff in here like, “Make sure you get a really good strict schedule going,” you know?It’s like stuff like Mindy here said, “Keep Christ the number one priority, teaching them how to apply- MmChrist, not just Bible stories.”You know?I mean, that is, mean, that’s, that’s the goal, the whole thing.That’s something they are not getting in normal school.So if that is important to you, that’s not happening in their day-to-day right now if they’re in public school.So I, that is something that, that is a humongous change and a humongous difference that, uh, do not underestimate that.If nothing else, you are equipping your child, if you believe those things, in a much better way than anyone in the current public school is doing.You know, before we start rocketing down through those, because I’d like to read a bunch of them, um, one that was not mentioned that I was may- maybe surprised, um, is that I would suggest that you do contact, or no, I wouldn’t contact.Um, I, but I would figure out, find out what the rules are for your state not because I’m such a rule keeper, but I know most people assume the rules.You know, they assume that, “Oh, you haveYou, but don’t you have to be a, a licensed teacher?Don’t you have to, you know, have someone check over”You know, really, there are very few states that even have those kind of requirements.I would check.You just type in what are the educational requirements for a person living in your state.And I would, um, if it says to register, I would register because sometimes those simple things, um, do become hangups for some people who don’t do, don’t play by the rules.Um, doesn’t mean you have to do anything that would be against your conscious or conscience or against what you believe God would have you do.But I think it’s just, it relieves us of anything because I’ve had so many moms, you know, I’ll be in this homeschool circles in m- name a state, in Kansas.And I’ll say, “Hey, do the, are, are, do you have to do this in Kansas?”And half of them go, “Yes, we do,” and 0 the others have go, say, “No, we don’t.”And I’m like, “Half of you are wrong,” you know?So I think that’s a good thing- Yeahto just check out.And I would also say watch for the word recommend because recommend- Rightdoes not mean law.Almost every time I’ve looked it up- Yesthey always say, and even some other big org- homeschool organizations will say, “Well, while they don’t require it, we recommend,” and I would say, “Who cares what you recommend?Do- Exactlydo what the letter is, and if you want to do more, great.But if, if you don’t, aren’t required, and it isn’t legally required, then don’t worry too much about the recommendations because otherwise I think people see that- I agreeand they just start panicking- I agreeand doing all of it.So, um, just some good advice.That’s good advice.Um, but yeah.Let’s go through one more here, and then we’ll do a quick th- break here.But, uh, so Wendy here said, “Focus on relationships with God, then each other.That is the most important.Keep coming back to that in the hard moments.second to there, to that, form a routine.It helps everyone when they know what to expect.”Um- I mean, again, this is kind of building off that first thing, but I mean, I think if, if we could boil down everything The Smiling Homeschooler is about and what I think, Dad, you have advocated for 20 years is relationship is key to all of this.Um- I agree.I agreeI mean, genuinely I feel like that is what I would boil it down to.And I do th- think routine’s important, you know?I mean, obviously we try to do that with our kids with, you know, sleep and with meals and stuff like that.But I also- Yeahyou know, just keep in mind, routines don’t always go super smoothly, and that’s okay too.Um- I agree.Well, real quick here, before we continue, I do wanna say thank you to Teaching Textbooks.You know, my daughter was just saying, uh, before we got on, she said, “I’m gonna do the podcast and tell everyone about Teaching Textbooks,” ’cause she’s like, “I really think it’s so easy and so good to, uh, good,” or something like that, you know?And so I was like, “Well, you’re not.You’re going to bed.”But, uh-you know, she really does love it, and my, uh, other kids will get to do it hopefully next year.Unfortunately, um, the younger 2 are in, uh, first grade and are actually second grade and kindergarten aren’t able to yet.But, uh, my daughters loved it.I loved it.My siblings have loved it, and I think yours will too.So go check them out at teachingtextbooks.com.We really appreciate their support.And I would even say, you know, tagging onto that, even though the kids who may not be math kids and may not love it, um, it makes it doable, you know?And for a mom who doesn’t, you know, doesn’t like math, it does all the teaching.It, it discusses every single problem, which is a good thing.Hey, and we also wanna thank Samaritan Ministries and Redeem Health Share for making today’s show possible.Samaritan offers different options to best fit your family at whatever stage in life you’re at.It’s biblical, affordable, and offers freedom to choose the providers you trust.We’ve used them for over, uh, 15 years and couldn’t be more pleased.You can find which option is best fit your family or talk to their amazing customer support at samaritanministries.org/familyman.So let, let, uh- Okay, let, let’s just kinda rock it through some of these, Ben, ’cause we have a lot of comments.Maybe we don’t even need to- Yeah, we’re not gonna get to all of them, but-comment on each one.Uh, sometimes it’s just really, it’s just nice to hear them.Yeah.Yeah, I mean, Linda, and I’m gonna compare, combine both of these, uh, Jeannie said, uh, “Don’t compare yourselves to any other homeschool mom.You know your kids.Do what works for you.”And then, uh, the other lady said, “Com- comparison is the thief of joy.Do not compare.”Mm.I think this is, again, so critical and is honestly takes the most bravery, the most doing what you believe even though, I, II mean, ’cause, like, what’s your first thing you’re gonna do?If you start homeschooling, you’re gonna go online, you’re gonna go find other people homeschool, and you’re gonna go, “Okay, well, this is what they’re doing, so I need to model myself after that.”It’s so scary already, so your first inclination is to just start copying other people.But unfortunately, that may not be your style.It may not be a good fit for your kids.Uh, and, and I can think a lot of people get off on the wrong footing right away, you know, uh, trying to do that.And that’s a good, that’s a good thing, you know, c- ’cause really all homeschool co-ops, all h- homeschool advice is not created equal.There are a lot of people who believe that academics is the very most important thing.There are other people who believe, you know, gathering around is the most important thing.Y- you know, I would go to our website, thesmilinghomeschooler.com, and take our personality test.It will kind of point you in a direction and maybe give you some tips on what you should look for in your own homeschool, you know, because if you’re all about relationship, you know, and you just wanna be with your kids, then find a homeschool group or a influencer who will encourage you in that.Um, all right.Do you have them in front of you, or do you want me to just read through them?Sure.How about, uh, Beth said, “Take it slow.Find what works for you and your family.Ignore negative comments,” and we’ve talked in the past, you know, negative comments go hand-in-hand with homeschooling.You know, if it’s new to you, it’s gonna be new to your in-laws too, and new to your parents, so they’re gonna say things that might be hurtful.Um, I know it’s hard to ignore those, but just let them blow off you.”Also, ignore the things that make you think your child might be behind.Every kid learns at a different rate.Your kids will be fine.”I like that.”Your kids will be fine.Relax and enjoy.”Yeah.And actually, uh, yeah, multiple people said that.I mean, that’s- Um, well, yeah, a lot of themI think just, yeah, core.Um, uh, Joseph saidThis is actually Joseph, so maybe we got a guy here.He said, “Trust yourself.””You’ll be surprised by how much your decision upsets people.Understand that the most of them, uh, most of what they say is an expression of their reaction.”Um, and IYou know, it is tough, especially when the people you care about around you may be very skeptical or have never even ex- been exposed to it, you know.Um, it, they’re gonna say comments, but don’t do, you’re not doing this because the c- of the people around you other than your own family and your kids, you know.So, um, as much as it may be tough, I would say stick to what you believe.And something I was thinking, I was writing down some thoughts earlier.I was lo- I, I, just one thing I, I was thinking overall was hold on really, really tightly to the reason you’re homeschooling.But I think hold on loosely to what it has to look like each and every day, you know, because it is just not going to be exactly what you think.And, you know, and your first day is not gonna look anything like your year one da- you know, anniversary of homeschooling, or even your first month, or even maybe your first week, you know?So whatever that first day is, just don’t hold onto it too, uh, tightly.Um, but do keep reminding yourself of the reason.Yep.Brandy said, “Don’t overcomplicate it.God planted that seed in you for a reason.You raised them to walk, talk, and use the bathroom.Manners, sharing, why is adding curriculum where we draw the line?You can do it.The relationship you get more with your children is the best payout at the end.We’re going on 6 years.”And I think she’s exactly right.Yeah.I don’t know why we think that, you know, God enabled us to teach our kids everything they need to know for the first 7 years, but after that, we need someone else to do it.It is not true.Um, I’ve said it lots, you know, God gave your kids exactly the mother they needed, and really it’s all they needed.And he, uh, you know, he set up this parent thing.He didn’t set up the school system.He set us up to do it.So don’t overcomplicate it.You’re just fine.I know people say, “Yeah, but I’ve done, you know, kindergarten through 4th grade, I don’t know if I can do junior high,” and I’m like, “Just the same.”You know, it’s like teaching them to walk.You just keep teaching them the next thing.So you can do it.And I like her words.Yep.And again, this is one that multiple people said, Amber, and uh, but I’m gonna read, uh, uh, Katie’s here, said, “It’s not supposed to look like school in regards to workload and schedule.Very little time in school is actually spent working on assignments.”I mean, this is a big one, I think, that, um, for someone who, you know, maybe did come from public school or bringing your kids home, it’s gonna feel like, “Well, we got all this done in like 2 hours.Is, this cannot be enough, so I gotta start adding more or making it longer,” and don’t.Like, it’s totally okay if it doesn’t take you all day long.Um, it is a totally different game.It’s not the same thing.Don’t think it has to look at all like that.That does not mean you’re doing something wrong.Um, it’s probably you’re doing it right if it’s taking only a little bit of time, so, uh, don’t let that doubt take over.Well, I think it’s funny that several moms said, you know, “Make sure you take care of yourself.Make sure you have plenty of mime, mom time.”Good luck on that one.Yeah.It’s just like- Yeahlike when does that happen?Mm-hmm.When you die?When you go to the nursing home?You know, um, don’t be frustrated by that, you know.Even my wife, you know, some will oftentimes feel that way, and man, what a great thing to really to s- to throw yourself on the altar of sacrifice for your family.Um, and it i- it’s a, a high privilege.Yeah.Kristen here said, “Don’t try to do everything.Keep the first year simple.Enjoy the time you get with your children,” uh, which is like 15,000 additional hours from kindergarten to 12th, 12th grade.So, um, I mean, if you do get to homeschool through all that, which I hope you can, um, that is just such an, an amazing gift.But yeah, I, I think spot on.Keep it simple.Um, that’s just not the natural inclination, soUh, Den- Denisa, I think that’s how you pronounce it, she’s, and this is interesting, she said, “Don’t change math curriculums too quick.”I think she was just saying, you know, that there’s not, the grass is not always greener on the other side.You know, maybe go an extra week to see if it clicks in because I know sometimes, uh, Debbie, my wife, she would be real excited about something, and after the first day she goes, “This is not gonna work.”Sometimes it doesn’t, but sometimes if you do another day or two and you adjust it a little bit, it turns out just fine.So I think, uh, she’s got some wisdom there.Um, Heather said, uh, “Don’t overthink everything.You can do this.It meant, it’s, it’s meant to be a blessing, not a burden.Schedules are flexible and not life and death.Breathe and hug your kiddos.”Um, I just, I think the whole you can do this is if, if you are a mom and you know other new homeschool moms or just old homeschool moms, just keep telling each other, “You can do this.”I think that’s just such a, a nice little, you know, uh, phrase.Uh, and yes, hug your kiddos.That’s, that, I mean, just, you know, smile.That’s what we want is to just enjoy- Yeahthe time you get with them.Well, Margaret said- Even though it’s hardto follow your own instincts, and I, and I think, you know, if you feel it in your gut, I think the gut is right.You know, if you’re looking at something and this, you think, “Man, this just seems like a waste of time,” I think that’s your gut.You know, that’s the spirit of God saying, “Don’t,” you know?Or if you feel like, “I’d really like to do it this way,” then do it that way.So go with your instincts, like Margaret said.Yeah.Um, someone suggested, this is a long one so I’m gonna just distill it down, but suggested, you know, joining a Facebook homeschool group or your local homeschool group in terms of, like, your state organization or things like that.Um, there’s just a lot of good encouraging groups out there.But do be careful ’cause some of them just start getting, throwing, adding more and more stuff on there, and it can really suck the joy out.So just make sure you’re, you know, vigilant, uh, for the type of group that it- you’re, you’re joining.But I do think trying to do it complete isolation can be discouraging and exhausting.So, um, you know, I think that is important.And Abby s- I don’t know if, you know, I don’t know if that’s how you say her name.She said, and this is good, this is, this is practical.She said, “Two subjects a day is enough.”And I think she might be right, you know?Maybe you don’t have to do everything like school, you know, where they go f- walk through each one.Maybe you just do math and science on one day, or maybe you just read on one day.Um, and I think, again, if that’s what sounds good to you, do it that way.Um, let’s see here.I like, uh, Casey said, uh, or Cassie, I don’t know, “Don’t quit.You’re made for this.”Uh, I mean, you are, you know, their parents.I mean, you are their mom.There is no one else who’s gonna be better at that than you are for them.So, um, you know, I just think this whole, “Well, they’re an expert.They went to school for it,” okay, they might know some crowd control tips and maybe a few extra things, but in the grand scheme, you love them more, you know what’s best for them more, and, uh, God’s made you for them.So I, I truly believe that you’re gonna do fine, and you’re the best teacher they can have.Oh, man, and I’ve talked to so many teachers who now homeschool their children, and they’ll say things like, “You know, after I was taught all the, you know, these years in public school, I knew that I didn’t want my kids in this public school.”You know, and they’ll say things like, “You know, I don’t worry at all anymore because I saw what they were doing, and I know we can do way better than that.Not because we’re so much better, but because they were so terrible at it.”Um, and other, uh, I can remember more than one, um, mom who said, “Oh, I taught in the, in the school system for 5 years, 10 years before I became a parent and homeschooled my own.”And they’ll say, “Nothing prepared me for homeschooling my own kids.”But I think we should quit with, let’s close with this last one by Ellen.She said, “I’m really struggling with homeschool right now, and this is, advice was just what I needed to hear.Thank you everyone for sharing.”You know, that’s the beauty of being real, you know, and having a community like this.We hope that if you’re just fi- if you just found us for the first time or listening to this for the first time, that you’ll be part of The Smiling Homeschooler.You know, my wife, when we started this, and I was like, “I like the name The Smiling Homeschooler.”And she said, “Why?Do you think we should just smile all the time?”And I’m like, “No, that’s kind of insanity if you’re just smiling all the time.”But I think that at the end of every day, everybody should have that abiding smile, you know, where you’re just, uh, that it’s a pleasure to do, be with your kids.Not always easy, and that your kids enjoy being home.And like I say at the end of every show, and I’ll say right now as I’m closing it, that should make you smile.Awesome.We appreciate everyone for being here.One other quick thing I wanted to say is, you know, it’s not, it’s not a quick sprint.It is a marathon.You know, those hard days, the tired days when you’re just feeling like everything’s failing and you’re failing as a parent and as a homeschooling mom, uh, that, you know, it’s gonna feel like this is just not working, but the fruit will be shown over time, and it is gonna pay off.And I do believe that, you know, in, in, in the grand scheme, it’s gonna be okay.Um, and again, thank you all for being here and being part of The Smiling Homeschooler.Share this with a new mom if you, you do have someone that you’ve met recently or in your homeschool co-op or whatever it may be ’cause a lot of people do have just a lot of voices just throwing stuff at them.So, um, again, head on over to our website, thesmilinghomeschooler.com.You can take the personality test and pick up the page a day calendar for your husband for Christmas.And, uh, get those orders in before it’s too late.And then also thank you to Teaching Textbooks for making this all possible.If you want a math curriculum that helps you smile during math and your kids smile, go check them out, teachingtextbooks.com.And today’s show is also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem Health Share, where members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through healthcare needs.As my dad, Todd, likes to say, we use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries, and you can learn more about Redeem Health Share at samaritanministries.org/familyman or you can click the link in the show notes.Everyone have a great week and don’t forget to smile.Thanks for joining us.
