Walking Therein

Homeschooling, The Confidence Factor

This was originally posted on Home Where they Belong,  Aug. 11, 2007

Hello! I am so happy to be a part of the HWTB team. For those of you who don't know me, I have been a homeschooling momma for 14 years. Matt and I are coming up on our 19th wedding anniversary, and we have 8 children, ages 17 down to 4 months. We live on a small farm raising goats and chickens, trying to keep our garden weeded (that one we aren't so accomplished at), all while teaching our children.  We drive a great big white van and always get waves from the Amish in the area whenever we go to town. I have been blogging here at HSB for about a year and a half and HSB2 for about a year. I feel very blessed to know so many wonderful homeschool moms I met through my blog, some even in real life.

When I was asked if I wanted to write for HWTB, my first inclination was to say, "Wow! Yes, of course!" Then, before I even answered back, I had a lot of different emotions. I mean, sure, I write for my own blogs, but this... this is HWTB. Did I want to? Sure did. Did I think I could do it? Well, sorta'. Was I looking forward to having everyone read what I write on *this* blog?.... um, well, I think so. Slowly my confidence waned, so I hurried and said yes, before I sank any deeper into my own lack of confidence. 

As I stressed, er, thought about what to write for my first entry here at Home Where They Belong, I thought about how I felt when asked if I'd like to write here. I think I said something like, "Yeah, I come across as confident, don't I?" and, I thought, "I've got you fooled there!". So, I started to parallel that feeling of discouragement or lack of confidence to how I sometimes feel as a homeschool mom. To how lacking we all feel sometimes as homeschool moms. 

I sure was confident after getting home from my first-ever homeschool convention and ordering my Teacher/Student Full Curriculum Package so many years ago. Then, when I got it, I wondered if I really could pull it off being as disorganized as I am. Or when we moved the last - um, 8 times? Or every time I had a baby, and I wasn't quite sure I could get it all done and devote my time to being pregnant/breastfeeding and toddlers and homeschool. Or, ok, I'll admit it: yesterday. 

There have been many times in my life that I felt this way over the past 14 years of homeschooling. I think anymore, I just say, "Yeah sure, we're fine. We're homeschoolers."
"Yes, building that wall in the barn is homeschooling. And, yes, baking that cake (even though it fell apart); it's homeschooling."
"Look at all the science and math research we have done", or
"I don't *have* to do every little thing in that lesson or workbook; we are doing fine." I just keep plugging along, knowing that no matter how I feel, we are doing what is best for our children.

As we gear up for a new school year, plan our curriculum, purchase it, get into the teaching mode... there will be many emotions that run through us. Right now, we are probably all rearin' to go. Nothin' will stop us. We have a plan, and we are set to do it this year. Or maybe you are still looking at curriculum, not sure what to do about this subject or that (like me). And then again, maybe you don't sweat it in the planning.  I have found since I started reading homeschool blogs, that this confidence usually lasts 'til about Thanksgiving. I was talking to a blogger-friend last year right around December, and I was surprised to hear her say that she needed some motivation to 'get back into the swing of things'. I never really thought about homeschool burn-out before then. Sure, I've been discouraged, I've changed curriculum mid-stream, but I guess life goes by so quickly here, I never felt like it was burnout, just that I needed to run and catch on. 

I am so happy and thankful for the freedom homeschooling gives me to Mother our children. As I wrap this up, I hear 6ds4 freaking out in the other room about something, and I have been interrupted more times than I can count.  On the flipside of all this, I have a sleeping Baby on my lap, children who are cleaning up and getting dinner around, and multiple opportunities to catch on and teach through every moment presented. In all of this chaos and self-doubt, you will find me right where I am supposed to be: praising the Lord that I can homeschool our children, asking Him for His confidence and His plan for our days. Whether we are building a chicken house, planting the garden or reading a medieval history book, you will find my confidence steady as a rock in the fact that we truly have our children Home Where They Belong.

Many Blessings as you find just the right Living Moments to teach this year!
-Jacque,
Seeking Rest in the Ancient Paths Homeschool
and Seeking Rest on the Homestead, too!

Comments

Aug. 11, 2007 - I am soo
Posted by SuperAngel

 

Happy you are writing for HWTB. You have some great ideas, opinions and I know many moms will be encouraged by your articles!!
Since I know you, I just want to say, you are very confident. You know what you are supposed to do and you do it. I am so proud to have you as my mama.
You are doing a great job raising us, and homeschooling us.
Know that we are all very blessed to have you as our mom!!
Love,
Amanda

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Aug. 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by quietcajun

 

Jacque,
You are more than qualified for the task of writing on this blog!!!

I do know what you mean though... after I commited to write the Tip of the Day for the month of August I had a bit of a "panic attack", but God has been giving me the words! :)

Love in Christ,
Christina

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Aug. 11, 2007 - Rings so True!
Posted by devdoordeborah
Excellent post and so true! We all deal with lack of confidence, which is really a great place to be. Because that is where we can put our full confidence in God that He will bless our efforts of obedience to walk this path and He will mutiply those efforts in the shaping of our children's hearts. Great writing and great reminder! Thank you so much.
Deborah Wuehler
senioreditor@thehomeschoolmagazine.com www.homeschoolblogger.com/devdoordeborah

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Aug. 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment
  Posted by DarthYxpu

Wow, that is awesome Mrs. D (AM2 and all the rest...).
:D
Things do get crazy sometimes but we (and I think I can speak for all of us homeschoolers) can't express to you guys (homeschool mom) how much we appreciate the sacrifice to do the biblical thing, homeschooling us.
Deuteronomy 6:5,7
5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
That looks like all day.
Not much time for going to public school, huh?

Great post!
-Paulie

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Aug. 11, 2007 - Great post!

  Posted by redmom
Welcome to the team!

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Aug. 11, 2007 - Enjoyed reading your entry. :O)
  Posted by tn3jcarter
I think most of us struggle with doubt sometimes, but hopefully through it all we just learn more and more that God is the one really doing the work. We are just blessed to be the vessels and have to stay available!

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Aug. 11, 2007 - You Nailed It!
  Posted by Pattycake
Right here:

Whether we are building a chicken house, planting the garden or reading a medieval history book, you will find my confidence steady as a rock in the fact that we truly have our children Home Where They Belong.

And I could so relate to everything you said. Thanks for sharing.
Deb

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Aug. 11, 2007 - Welcome!
Posted by Nancy Baetz

 How nice to see you blogging here, Jacque! What a great post and thank you so much for helping out here. Gena will soon have a baby on her lap too.....um, well, I guess she kind of does already, LOL, but I think it is so neat to have some wonderful ladies like you helping out and posting your wise words! Your family sounds great and homeschooling has never been better than it has been this summer for us too. Life is great! Praise God for these special families He has given us.
Hugs!
Nancy

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Aug. 12, 2007 - Jacque!
Posted by julie

 You are very capable and qualified to post here.....probably more than most of us!!! I'm so glad you're here with us...we'll get to know each other better -- through trial and error we will support and encourage each other ;)
~julie

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Aug. 12, 2007 - Jacque
  Posted by anyachristine

 What an excellent post. Thanks for sharing all that God is doing in your family.
I'm so glad to see you writing here and I can't wait to read more of your thoughts!
You are a blessing!
Christy :)

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Aug. 13, 2007 - Woot...
Posted by Jocelyndixon
Bravo... you're great!
Auntie... love you! and the "lil guy"...
Joci

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Aug. 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Buckeyeblog
What a precious entry! We began our 15th year last Monday and you expressed what we ALL go through...no matter how many years you've homeschooled. But, as there is "comfort in numbers," it's always good - especially for newbies - to hear that those of us who have been homeschooling for quite a while still have "those days"...AND...to be reminded that LIFE is school.

Looking forward to more from you.
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><
aka Buckeyeblog

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Aug. 14, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Ruth
Jacque,

Thank you for sharing and being so honest. Homeschooling can be hard, especially when you are just trying to get through life.
Ruth

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Aug. 15, 2007 - Gee, Thanks everyone!
Posted by JacqueDixonSoulRestES

While I wouldn't say more qualified, I know God has a purpose in bringing me together with all of you. Thank you for the encouragement, though(did I sound too whiney?? LOL).
I would have to say that you are all God's answer to a homeschool mom's lack of confidence and fears... good friends and encouragers... and Dear Daughters and ... Paulie!! ;)
Blessings to each of you, and I am thrilled to be here. Looking forward to getting to know you all better!
-Jacque

Loved this post......

4:31 AM, Monday, September 10, 2007 .. Posted by jabbabean

just like I have enjoyed all your posts. I enjoy your honesty and your sense of humor. And "NO!" you don't sound whiny.

I thought of you this week as we drove home through Indiana. I also find it funny that as I can't sleep (it's 3:30am) that you also are up in the wee hours! We must be kindred spirits, in that regard! Ha! Of course, the alarm going off at 6:45am is not going to be fun!

Thanks for stopping by my blog! It's fun to have visitors!

JeninIL

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12:52 PM, Monday, September 10, 2007 .. Posted by totustuus

I just wanted to say...I love all the updated pictures of your lovely children that you put on your sidebar!! :-)

Your post was featured in this weeks THC!

2:06 PM, Monday, September 10, 2007 .. Posted by rjdjohn316

This post has been featured in this weeks THC! Here is the link: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/rjdjohn316/388513/

GREAT post! Come and read the other people's posts who have been featured in this weeks THC!

-Rachel

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2:39 PM, Monday, September 10, 2007 .. Posted by tumbleweeds78

Hey girl, very interesting article, and I was just reading up on "homeschool" burn out myself, although I am too new yet, I would still like to keep myself from getting to that point... WOW 2 places to blog and write, whew you have strength!!

Hello Jacque~

6:39 PM, Tuesday, September 11, 2007 .. Posted by nancysnook

I've thought a lot about this post in the past two days. I have to agree with you when you said you hear people talking about being burned out by December...I hear that a LOT too at the co-op we go to. I thought a lot about this same thing this time last year and decided that I wasn't going to be one of those "burnt out moms", so I agree that I don't get burned out but I do need to find a new routine during the winter months, we tried making sure all the old units we were working on were finished before we took a break for holidays that way when we start back after the New Year it felt like a new start and not a continuation of the same ol', same ol'. I think that is all I wanted to say...have a good one!

Nancy