I just read this article and it got me thinking…about parenting in general, about homeschooling specifically…
None of us REALLY know what we’re doing, do we?
We’re all just doing the best we can with the knowledge we have.
But I don’t believe for one second that any of us should be doing this ALONE. Parenting OR homeschooling.
Because humans are social beings. Both my kids and I NEED other people to interact with regularly. Outside our immediate family. I truly believe that is CRUCIAL.
Not just for “socialization”…which of course we all know is important…but because we need to unload our stress, we need to hear others are going through something similar…We need to know we are not ALONE.
So if you’re someone that has a hard time getting out of the house…introvert or not…you need to do it, mama!
You need to do it for your kids, you need to do it for you. Parenting and homeschooling should never be done alone.
Don’t have any local friends yet? Find some online to keep you going until you find locals you click with. But do keep looking. Never give up.
Maybe your kids are better at making friends…let them develop friendships and you will find yourself drawn into relationships with their playmates’ parents.
If that doesn’t work for you, keep looking. NEVER EVER GIVE UP!!
And when you do have local friends, make sure you schedule in regular time for them. Regular play dates with the kids, but also one on one with other parents. Meet at Starbucks for coffee and chat! I just did that this week with a dear friend and we both so enjoyed ourselves we said, “Why don’t we do this more?”
Why DON’T you? You schedule in the important activities for your kids…do the same for yourself! Make it a priority! Even if it’s just once a month.
And when you meet with friends, TALK! Not just small talk about the weather and something you saw on TV or the Internet…ask them how it’s really going with them. Ask them how homeschooling is going…and LISTEN. And then share what’s going on with you and your kids. Share your frustrations, your joys…Don’t look for a solution, just share…
And pay attention to the fact that all parents have problems with their kids. All homeschoolers have problems homeschooling. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!
Regularly talking with friends like this will help you truly realize that NONE of us knows what we’re doing!! And that’s OK!! We learn, we grow, we keep going…
And our kids thrive because of us. Flawed as we are.
