Dear Homeschooling Mom,

​Dear Homeschooling Mom,

We may not have met, but in a real sense I know you. You see, I homeschool my children too.

I know how tired you are. I know how deep you must dig every morning to get up early and prepare before getting the kids up to do lessons. Each morning when the alarm goes off and you think, “Oh please give me ten more minutes,” remember why you are getting up. You are rising early to prepare for a beautiful day with your children. You get the privilege of standing by their side today and witnessing the miracle of learning. Your children will do glorious works today, and you will be right there. So getting up early is a small price.

I know that sometimes you must hide your tears. I know how deeply the angry words of your frustrated child can tear into your soul. Remember, they are your children and no matter what they might say in the heat of the moment, they love you. They depend on you. They look to you for guidance and for affirmation. And you love them with your whole heart. It will pass.

And I also know how absolutely glorious each little success can be as you teach your children. I take pictures and videos of the moments as they happen so I share them with my husband. But those moments of glory are really only vivid and real for those of us with the front row seat in the arena of homeschooling. The moments live on in our memories and are a treasure that will last us for eternity.

I know that no matter the circumstance or the hurdle, you will make it work for your children. Homeschooling moms are some of the most industrious and dedicated people I have met. We take the tools (education and resources) we have to raise the children we are given. We instill in them our values and ethics and morals. We find ways to teach subjects we never understood ourselves and in many cases learn along side our children as they grow older. We show them that if does not matter what you know. What matters is your faith and your determination. With those simple lessons and a childhood of exploration and peace, our children will blossom into caring and faithful parents when they have children of their own one day.

I found a poem in an old printed pamphlet this morning as I was tidying up before waking the children for lessons that really struck home:

To a Homeschool Mom

by Amelia Harper
He gave this gift with gentle hands,

A treasure rich and rare;

But sand and rock and rugged stone

Obscured the gem so fair.
“I give this gift to you,” He said,

“To polish and to prime;

The future lies within your hands,

So make use of the time.”
Some others placed their precious gifts

Within another’s care,

Because they knew the craft took time –

And time they could not spare.
But you were not content to trust

This task to other hands.

You sought to teach yourself the craft

That such a task demands.
For, you said, “No other hand

Can craft this gem so fair;

My loving eyes can better see

The treasure hidden there.”
So carefully you chipped away

Till brilliance sprang from stone.

You shaped each facet, smoothed each face,

Until the task was done.
Some days you feared that you would fail;

Some days, you saw success.

But still you labored on with love

and gentle tenderness.
Thus, soon the gem He gave to you

Reflected Light sublime;

And then you knew no other task

Was better worth your time.
www.HomeScholarBooks.com

The task you have chosen is the most important one you will ever reach for. You are raising your children. You are shepherding them and guiding them and nurturing them to adulthood.

God has given you this gift. And so, Homeschooling Mom, please take some time to celebrate your life, and celebrate your family, and celebrate your children.

As my children would say, “Good Job, Mom!”

Sincerely,

Another Homeschooling Mom

Read other letters of encouragement by some great homeschooling moms by clicking through here: (The link will be live on Friday June 2)