Even though my children are grown, I still love homeschooling and homeschooling moms! I homeschooled for 23 years, and have been in support group leadership almost that long as well. Since my youngest graduated from our homeschool 3 years ago, I have remained active in the support group I founded and also in the wider homeschool community, as a mentor and advisor and helper. I have lots of experience under my belt, and also the passion and willingness to continue to read up on what is new and current in the homeschool world. I have had to hone my technology skills and knowledge to keep up, but it is worth it to be able to pass along a vision, a bit of the history, and a perspective that is often missing among the younger generation of moms.
I might not have experience with all the new curriculum that continuously crops up, but I know about different homeschool styles and about the importance of adapting any curriculum to the needs of your family.
I might not be going on field trips – at least until my grandbaby gets big enough to start going on adventures – but I understand how important exploration and hands-on, real-life experiences are in generating a love for learning and inspiring curiosity and questions.
I might not be homeschooling my own children anymore, but I remember being in the trenches and the stress and challenges of the homeschool day. I remember the relief and reassurance that came from having someone to talk to, from more experienced homeschool moms offering advice and encouragement, and a pep talk or listening ear as needed. I also remember crying out to God for guidance and confirmation that I was on the right path and wasn’t ruining my children!
There are many ways that you can share your experience as a mentor.
- join a local homeschool Facebook group and add to the experienced voices answering questions and offering encouragement
- stay active in your homeschool group and build relationships with younger moms; offer to help in whatever your area you feel is your strength
- invite a younger homeschool mom out for coffee or ice cream after dinner and talk shop
- host a New Homeschool Mom Tea in your home
- lead a Home Ed 101 group in your home or at church, going through the topics in the book Home Education 101 by Vickie Bentley. The book can be ordered here.
- help lead a workshop for moms of high schoolers, to talk about creating a high school plan, drivers ed, getting first jobs, creating transcripts, college applications, dual-enrollment, etc.
A mentor is a listener, a cheerleader, an advisor, and a coach. You don’t have to know all the answers to all the questions, but you should be able to point people in the right direction to find what they need.
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25
So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them…
Matthew 7:12
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
