On today’sMentoring Moms show we started with a discussion about “What Is Your Homeschool Message?“ This article was written by veteran homeschooler Durenda Wilson fromSimple Nourishing Home. Durenda’s article was the perfect place to start the show today because the first question deals with when conflicts happen in homeschools. It really lays the foundation for how to tackle such difficult situations in our homeschools.
The point Durenda makes in the article is how we, as parents, need to listen to our homeschool instincts. But for moms new to homeschooling, that is terrifying! We know you have not yet learned to trust your homeschool instincts… but you will! Just like you had to learn to trust your own mothering instincts through trial and error, you are having to learn to trust your homeschool instincts. It is time we reconsider some of these challenges we are experiencing … maybe we should think of them as job training (maybe even boot camp) for homeschooling! These challenges are not pointless… far from it! They are serving a very important purpose. They are leading you down the path to that point where you know you can rely on your homeschool instincts!
When Conflicts Happen in our Homeschool
The first question we discussed on today’s show was what to do when our homeschool is filled with fights, stress and arguing. It is important to remember that each of our homeschools have experienced this at some level at some point, but especially in the beginning. Change can be hard. So, in the beginning, it is so easy, when everyone is already tense, for emotions to take over and for little disagreements to arise. Heidi Ciravola from Starts at Eightwrote an article sharing some sage advise with the luxury of hindsight. In “If I could do it Over – My Homeschool Advice for Those Starting Out“, Heidi reminds us:
When we allow the schedule, the curriculum, the need to check boxes off to run our lives, it can often lead us right into the ground!
Flexibility is the key, especially in the beginning. Be willing to adjust and tweak!
We have the ability to smooth out their days and relieve their stress (and ours) by simplifying and providing consistent, simple rhythm to our days.
Sometimes we need to be reminded that children need very simple routines.
I posed this very question to our mamas on our Facebook Page. They shared some great advise too! Post by Hip Homeschool Moms.
The conclusion
Conflict happens. It is normal and it is natural. So much so, Durenda has written a whole series of articles onconflict. It is only when conflict becomes the norm that there is a huge red flag that needs to be dealt with. One thing I think we call all agree on is this… We need to be sure to focus on our relationships and the big picture more than the current disagreement about curriculum or homeschool.
I went to a blog conference earlier this year and met all of these wonderful ladies who co-host Mentoring Moms with me. They have become homeschooling mentors of mine. I left the conference more convicted to stay focused on the big picture. To remember we essentially have Just 18 Summers. Just 18 Summers (years) to equip them with the tools and encouragement they will need. And those summers are flying by.
If you would like to hear our discussion about this topic and the rest of the questions we covered on the September 16th Mentoring Moms show, here is the video:
We pray that our show is a blessing to you and your homeschool!
Trish is the owner of Hip Homeschool Moms. She also owns Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers, Homeschool Travel Adventures, Only Passionate Curiosity and Love These Recipes! She has been married to her best friend, David, for 25 years and they have three sons (ages 23, 22 and 18). Trish is from the coast of North Carolina, but they now live in rural West Tennessee on a 40+ acre farm. She has been homeschooling since 2009 and her homeschool style leans towards a Montessori approach with a heavy emphasis on hands-on learning. Trish’s family is Messianic and they love studying the Scriptures, learning Hebrew and growing in their faith and walk daily. In her spare time, Trish loves to travel, write, work in their garden and can regularly be found trying to learn something new, modeling that learning is indeed a life-long endeavor!
* This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. * I want to start this post by saying that the topic of ‘scheduling’ is hotly debated in the homeschooling world. Some of us want to model our home education after a public school. Others loathe that method and run far away. I want to…
* This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. * Dear Homeschool Mom, I just need to share something… It’s long, but I hope it’s encouraging. An Open Letter to the Homeschool Mom from the Certified Teacher I taught in public school for ten years. I have a MAEd and am a nationally board-certified…
* This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. * Encouragement for the Warrior Homeschool Mom When Trish asked if I’d like to write encouragement articles for homeschoolers, approximately, 157,000 ideas came to mind. I take the hearts of mamas very seriously, so I knew I couldn’t waste an opportunity such as this. ‘Excited’…
* This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. * I can’t help but chuckle at the idea of someone like me writing a post like this. Because, trust me, some of my past experience with plants hardly make me a poster girl for amazing gardening! I am the daughter of a green-thumbed, stick-anything-in-the-ground-and-watch-it-flourish…
* This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. * Are you hosting a homeschool mom-friendly giveaway? Want a chance to win some fun stuff? Come check out . . . Giveaway Day! Bloggers & Giveaway Hosts: Come on in and link up those awesome giveaways homeschool moms would love to enter! Homeschool Moms:…
* This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. * The Hip Homeschool Moms team would like to begin 2016 by saying “Thank you so very much!” to all of you moms who faithfully read our posts here on our site, who participate in our private Facebook group, and who support our Facebook page….
One Comment
Trish, you did a fantastic job of re-capping this morning’s Mentoring Moms! I am so impressed with the way you tied everything together and brought in other helpful resources for moms. I wish this was around 20 years ago when I started! Kudos!!! I think this is SUCH a great idea!!! I just wish I didn’t look so tired this morning! I didn’t put any mascara on and I scared myself when I saw my face on the computer screen! Oh well, just keeping it real moms! This mom get tired too! Sleep eludes me as we await our grand baby who is due any day!!!!!
Thanks again, Trish. Your commitment to our moms is such a blessing!!!
Trish, you did a fantastic job of re-capping this morning’s Mentoring Moms! I am so impressed with the way you tied everything together and brought in other helpful resources for moms. I wish this was around 20 years ago when I started! Kudos!!! I think this is SUCH a great idea!!! I just wish I didn’t look so tired this morning! I didn’t put any mascara on and I scared myself when I saw my face on the computer screen! Oh well, just keeping it real moms! This mom get tired too! Sleep eludes me as we await our grand baby who is due any day!!!!!
Thanks again, Trish. Your commitment to our moms is such a blessing!!!