It is so nice to have you visit!  I had the funniest thing happen today.  My kids and I do a work-share on an organic farm and there is another homeschooling Mom doing the same thing there with her two kids.  We have been enjoying getting to know them and on our break time, we usually talk about guess what:  Unschooling! 

Today, after we talked a bit she said "She was so glad to meet me because most of the homeschooling Moms she talks to make her feel like she is the worlds biggest under-achiever! "  But  since she met me she doesn't feel that way anymore!

I can't tell you how much I cracked up when she said that!  

She didn't mean it in a negative way of course~but it certainly made my day! 

What she meant was, that she doesn't fit into the mold of school-at-home, of curriculum driven, or any of those high stress kinds of home schooling lifestyles.  She is learning what is best for her family but still feels like an under-achiever when comparing herself to others.  It happens all the time, and for some Moms, it is ok and they thrive on comparison and competition. 

 But for some of us that is the antithesis of our homeschooling ideal.  We have to be able to recognize it for what it is and not let it get under our skin, or into our head. The heart of our homeschool is being solid in our belief of what works best for us and then all the rest (comparison and competition) can fade into oblivion. 

It's not about curriculum, or standardization, it's about learning who our children are, and helping them learn HOW to learn.  Self sufficiency and self worth, all wrapped up in a neat little package that God Himself ordained and created.  That is what homeschooling is to me.

My new friend and I had talked about scheduling, curriculum, learning styles, stuff like that.  We talked about going with the flow, freedom in our homeschooling, breaking out of preconceived molds and indoctrination.  It is so neat to talk with other Moms!  She also asked me if I ever stop wondering if I am doing the right thing, and I said there are always those nasty doubts and second-guesses that creep in.  There will always be those people and ideas that will come against us for doing what we believe is right for our families. 

And I have said it before about my kids and our home education choice; the triumphs and successes are mine to enjoy and the mistakes are my mistakes to make.  Try as they might, nobody can ever take that away from me as long as I have breath!

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 Be sure to get in on this:  Benefit for Tammy Cardwell.  Unbelievable!

And a big thank-you to the Homeschool Minute for blessing me with a mention and a contest!  (Just click on the current newsletter link and don't forget to subscribe to these wonderful e-newsletters!)

Leave me a comment to get in on the contest ok?  And a hearty THANK YOU for everyone who already did!  I appreciate you!  

 We didn't set a deadline for picking a winner, so there is still time!  You could win a free copy of my E-book "Haircuts for Little Men!"   

Homeschooling IS Life!

Nancy