Homeschool Doubts

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Our Homeschool Bubble-

The town that my family and I currently live in is awesomely supportive of homeschool families. If you’re looking to supplement your homeschool curriculum with other activities; they have everything you could ever want from a community!

There are multiple co-ops to choose from, MOPS groups that meet during the day, museums that offer daytime classes, sports teams, and even our Bible study offers a free homeschool class so that moms can still participate in the study.

This place is a homeschooler’s dream.

You don’t feel like a freak (or a bad mom) for taking your children to the grocery store during the day. Most people don’t even ask what they are doing out of school because they assume the kids are homeschooled.

All that to say—

Homeschooling is not uncommon here.

Praise the Lord.

When we leave our little bubble—

It’s a whole different story when we leave our community.

This past weekend, we were visiting extended family that we don’t see that often. One of them brought up the fact that we homeschool. Apparently, not everyone was aware of this.

I could feel my heart beat a little faster—I knew what was coming next.

The questions!

Aren’t you worried they won’t be normal?

How will they be socialized?

Are you going to homeschool the whole time?

Don’t you want a break?

Is this for religious reasons?

Are you sure you’re qualified?

Why are you doing this?

If you homeschool then you know what I’m talking about. Most of us have the answers to these questions on the tip of our tongues at all time. And if you’re like me—some of those answers are a little snarky.

But with family, I wanted to keep the sarcasm to a minimum.

An Unexpected Reaction-

As I prepared myself for their horrified reactions, I was immediately put at ease when mostly everyone smiled and nodded their heads.

Um what?

Some of the women in the room said they could “…never do that,”

(And I’m like, “yeah…me neither!”)

But then, the most unexpected thing of all happened—

Many of them commented on how much Ethan has seemed to come out of his shell and how funny he is now. In the past he would have hidden behind me or been very nervous and awkward. Now his personality is really coming through!

I got to give the credit where it was due—

Homeschool!

Thanks to homeschooling, Ethan doesn’t have to deal with the anxiety that he experienced every single day about going to school. I didn’t think anyone else noticed; but apparently it was worse than I realized.

Praise God for being so gentle with me during the decision-making process last year. I was so reluctant to homeschool, but God showed me that I can do hard things.

“If He calls you to it, He’ll get you through it”

And then He sent me these family members to reassure me in my decision during a time in which I was honestly questioning our homeschool path.

I’m so glad God is in charge and not me!

Have you ever had an experience like this? Where God continues to confirm your calling despite your constant doubt?