Last week was the ReACHE bi-annual meeting, and it was great to see so many new faces and families getting involved with this amazing group. You all come from so many places and perspectives--long time homeschoolers who are just now getting involved with ReACHE, new and new-ish homeschoolers who may or may not have had various experiences with public or private school situations, and folks who have itty-bitty kids and are trying to get a jump start on everything early. Such a neat diversity of perspectives.
And then there were the old faces, and it was just as great to see all of you. Your perserverance and battle scars/stories are such a welcome addition, whether you are ready to
endure face another year or not.
As I was sitting back listening to our amazing leaders lay out some of the plans and activities that are planned for this next school year, I found myself jotting down random thoughts about homeschooling in general, particularly for those of you with the very well disguised 'deer in the headlights' look in your eyes (this would be newbies as well as old hats).
So, in no particular order or level of fluidity--
--Don't be intimidated or discouraged by the perfect looking families/pictures/stories/kids. None of us know it all or have it all together. (I can't even find any of the 24 pencils I bought last week, and yes, I did look between the couch cushions).
--Co-ops--maybe you didn't make it into a class or classes this go around, and things seem like they would so much better or easier if you had. I am so, so sorry about this. You might want to consider getting your own small group together in your home once a week/month and share teaching responsibilities with some other moms. We did this several years ago when we were new to ReACHE. It was not a ReACHE sponsored activity, but the guys in that science/history class had a blast. Maybe that sounds great, but you don't know how to make that happen. Throw the idea out on the forum--it may be just the type of group other parents are looking for as well.
--Don't compare yourself or your kids or your spouse to any of the rest of us.
--There are no stupid questions, even if it doesn't seem particularly homeschool related. Ask for information. Ask for help. Ask for prayers. Ask for someone to help give you a break every now and then.
--Many folks join ReACHE without knowing anyone else, or maybe only a couple of folks. The best way to connect is to share--the good, the bad, and the ugly--either on the forum or one-on-one. It may be just the thing someone else needs to know or hear that day.
--Not everyone has a hands-on spouse in regards to homeschooling (mainly this is the daddies, but not always--we have some great daddies as the primary teachers). I've heard stories of those families that give presentations to the dad at the end of each school day and those same daddies help pick out the curriculum and write long term educational goals. They probably don't even consider cereal as a viable option for supper. At our house....um, not so much. This works for us, but I know it can cause much distress and heartache for some families. Try to remember to extend a little grace to those hands-off spouses.
--Extend a
little lot of grace to yourself, too. Seriously. In the immortal words of Bob and Larry:
"Remember--God made you special, and He loves you very much"!
Posted by: Charla M.
