This post is from contributor, Daniele Evans
As a sorta-kinda long term homeschool mom (10+ years!), I’ve gone through various seasons of having support for our home education journey.
Right now…
- Our family is part of a small monthly homeschool co-op — families who learn and play together.
- Three other homeschool moms and I are reading & discussing through Charlotte Mason’s original works
- I have oodles of online homeschool support: virtual friends I’ve met at conferences or retreats who cheer me on
- I’m blessed to have a supportive husband who listens (and listens…)
- Our extended family has grown in their conviction that homeschooling is a great choice!
But, it wasn’t always this full and lovely. Some years were really lean and hard…some years I felt incredibly lonely, because well, I was alone.
My husband, while always super supportive, had a job which required travel, so my days were spent parenting solo. Family and friends didn’t always understand our choice, and the questions could be tiring.
If these words at all describe your current situation, know there are others who can relate. My encouragement today is first — I have prayed for you.
From a place of knowing and understanding, I’ve asked our God to breathe fresh energy and hope into your days as a mama. Homeschooling can be isolating enough, so I’ve prayed you wouldn’t feel completely alone.
Then, I would encourage you in this:
You need balcony people in your life.
Women who share a similar path, who cheer you on, who understand your journey because they’ve been there, or are there.
Women who celebrate wildly with you when all goes well, and support you in the challenging days of mothering, teaching, and housekeeping.
Women who totally get the ups and downs of this lifestyle and educational choice.
Instead of basement people (who criticize and bring us down), we need those in our ‘life balcony’ to counteract negative voices. People don’t replace our need for God, but they can have a role to play.
If you’re in this place of needing balcony people –
pray, asking God to supply your need :: look around for opportunities in your area, and online, for support :: get involved or engaged! :: be prayerfully patient, trusting for friendships to come
And also BE a balcony person for another woman! A great opener to friendship is to also be friendly.
Blessings on your journey…
Latest posts by Daniele Evans (see all)
- 5 Tips for Decluttering Your Daily Routine {or, tips to help keep Mama sane} - January 24, 2018
- The Only Homeschool Room You Need is In Your Heart - October 15, 2015
- Homeschooling Mom, You Need Balcony People - October 3, 2013
- One BIG Mistake Christian Homeschoolers Should Avoid - September 6, 2013
- Ease Up Homeschool Stress - August 9, 2013
Thank you for the post, it was very encouraging. It is so true I was thinking about how there are basement and balcony people in my life and how I need to mostly or only seek out my balcony people when needing help because all those basement people tend to do is discourage and speak critically and negatively. Not building up but crushing others spirits. This is not God’s will for us. Praying for discernment when sharing my struggles! Thanks 🙂
Crushing spirits…yep, that’s what basement people do. And yes, it’s best to discern! Thanks Becky…
I know I’m late to the game, but I needed this tonight. Thank you.