Finding Homeschool Support

Finding Homeschool Support

Finding the right homeschool support is almost as important as knowing why you’re homeschooling in the first place. And, sometimes, even knowing where to look for that support proves to be a challenge.  If you are just starting on your homeschool journey, I hope you’ll find some good ideas for where to look for the support you need. If you are a veteran home educator, I hope you’ll purpose in your heart to look around and see the many ways you could bless those around you by using what God has put in your hands and offering that needed support to those who are starting after you.

Look to Those Who’ve Done It

When I was first considering homeschool as a young mom, I called a veteran home educator in our church to ask her what homeschooling was really like. This woman’s children were many years older than my own, and they were very accomplished in the way they handled themselves and interacted with both children and adults. This gave me confidence that home education could actually work as I was seeing it in action right in front of me.

One afternoon, this mom graciously spent more than an hour on the phone with me, answering my questions openly and honestly and painting a clear picture of what homeschooling looked like for her family. I was particularly intrigued that their schedule allowed them to take more than a month off from school at Christmas time each year so that their teens could work in the family business making fresh wreaths for the holidays. This idea of building flexibility into a school schedule was totally new to me. And, because she knew my children from church, my friend was also able to weigh in on learning styles and to give me some ideas to help my kids with the transition to learning at home. Of all the homeschool books I’ve read and the numerous speakers I’ve heard talk about home education, that single conversation with a friend and veteran homeschooler remains the most powerful and informative I have had.

Other Great Places To Get Support Along the Way

Outside of the special friend who can serve as a mentor and sounding board to you (and I pray that God sends you one of those, and then that you BECOME one of those,) there are a number of great places to find homeschool support along the way. God created us to live in fellowship with one another, so local groups, co-ops and associations are fantastic places to get connected and find support for your journey. Joining with local and even online groups can build lasting friendships and be a source of valuable help and encouragement along the way.

Local Homeschool Support Groups

Homeschool groups, like everything else in home education, are as varied as the people involved. Our family belongs to an academic co-op that has well over 500 students enrolled, but that same co-op started with just a few families meeting together at a home to do some classes and activities together. Field trip groups, enrichment groups, athletic groups, and others are available in many areas around the country. We have certainly been blessed by taking an active part in homeschool groups through the years, and I wholeheartedly encourage you to find one near you to get involved.

Can’t find a homeschool group in your area? Consider starting one yourself! The Teach Them Diligently Leadership Summit would be a great place to share ideas and get pointers from homeschool leaders in your area. Click here to learn more about this free event at Teach Them Diligently 2018.

Online groups can also serve as a great place to ask your questions and share ideas. We would love to have you join us in our Facebook Community and in one or more of our special Facebook groups. (All are remarkably drama free!) 🙂

Homeschool Support Events

Finally, taking time for personal education and enrichment is also an important way to get support along the way. I tell my children all the time that “you don’t know what you don’t know,” and that certainly becomes evident when you find yourself in a situation where there are a lot of resources and continuing education offered. Special events and conferences like the ones Teach Them Diligently produces offer an intensive dose of encouragement and equipping, often in a weekend. You will be amazed to find yourself among so many like-minded  families, and you will always leave energized, much more knowledgeable, and ready to jump right back into your homeschool journey.  Time and again we see that families who live in fellowship with others and attend homeschool events are much more likely to stay the course and continue on the path God has called them to.

The New Teach Them Diligently Blog Is A GREAT Resource To Help You On You Way!

Support. Strength. Encouragement. Resources. These are just a few of the words that sum up what our vision is for the new Teach Them Diligently blog. Our prayer is that this will become a go-to place for you to get great information about parenting, discipleship, marriage, homeschooling, and more and the support you need just when you need it. And, we’re assembling a great host of amazing writers to share their heart with you right here.

Check back regularly to hear from speakers, authors, homeschool veterans, bloggers, and more as well as regular content from Teach Them Diligently staff. You can be confident that the information published here will be gospel-centered and Biblically sound. We simply cannot wait to see how God will use this platform in the days ahead.

There are many other great homeschool blogs and resources as well. In fact, we just ran an article earlier this year that listed about 15 of the top homeschool blogs as voted by Teach Them Diligently families. You should definitely check them out as well! Click here to visit that post.

Want to learn a little more about the different elements of the Teach Them Diligently Homeschool Support offerings? Click on the links below

Is there a specific topic you would like to see us address in the days ahead on the Teach Them Diligently blog? How about a specific writer or speaker you would like to hear from? Leave us some feedback in the comments below. We want this platform to be built to serve you the best way we can.