Side by side
Two are better than one. Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls. For he has no one to help him up.
—Ecclesiastes 4:9,10
During this month of February, a month when we think of hearts, flowers and affection, I would like to spur us all on to consider how we can encourage each other. The homeschool journey is not a solo adventure. It thrives on finding kindred spirits, like-minded moms who are facing the same issues we are. The issues may be myriad: Academic struggles, children who feel lonely, learning disablilities, financial woes, new babies, college applications, resistant students, organizational challenges, poorly fitting curriculum, need for outside classes, sports programs — just to name a few!
Many of us have the benefit of local area support groups that are meeting near us. Veteran moms often feel less inclined to attend these meetings, less needy of that kind of interaction. Many of us find fellowship on Internet homeschool groups. Most of us do not need another item for our already too-busy agendas.
Despite this, I would like to encourage you veteran homeschool moms to consider attending those support group meetings even if you no longer need the support.
We just had our annual support group leaders appreciation dinner. Many thanks by the way to Shan Hughey for planning the catered meal and the program. At that dinner the importance of mentoring was mentioned. When I started homeschooling, I went to various support group meetings even though my oldest was just a toddler. I asked lots of questions of veteran pioneer homeschoolers and received many gracious answers.
I cannot tell you how much that meant to me that I was able to develop relationships with moms who were years ahead of me but were kind enough to show me the steps they had taken.
When I finally did start formal homeschooling (of course we know that we informally homeschool from birth!) I had a very good idea of how to start, what I wanted to accomplish and I knew several moms who used the same methods/curriculum I hoped to use.
By the same token, I would like to encourage all you newbies to feel free to ask any questions you want of homeschool moms you know, and even those you do not know. As a veteran, I am flattered that someone thinks I might be able to help her. Why should folks new to home education struggle with an issue that many of us might easily help them solve? We have all been in the newbie position at one time or another. So we know what the first or second year moms are going through. Of course, there are several local email groups which serve as a support and resource for home educating moms. Nonetheless, there is no substitute for real, honest face-to-face contact with other homeschool moms for encouragement. At local support groups, you can pray with and for each other’s specific needs, and ask all those questions and find the answers you seek. Most importantly, you can just laugh with each other at that horrible day you just had in which nothing went as planned!
Speaking of things not going as planned, I had hoped to include another booklist in this issue to continue my series of living history books. Even though I had an extra month to get this together (no January Esprit is published) I still found myself at the deadline with no list prepared. To compensate for this somewhat, I offer below a list of my all-time favorite fiction writers and worthy series. This will serve you well if you decide to go to the next library book sale from Monday, Feb. 16 to Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Northgate mall at the Sears court.
Generally, it is a good idea to look for hardback books published before the the sixties or seventies.
A favorite Web site of book lists is http://home.att.net/~bandcparker/reading.html.
I warn you going to this site is akin to trying to get a sip from a fire hydrant! So if you just need a good taste of one or two good lists, I recommend http://homepage.bushnell.net/~peanuts/Elbooklist.html#K3 which is a favorite site from this Website.
Be sure to check her homepage for more lists. Another good one is the redone and nicely reorganized page <http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/celoop/1000. html>.
Most lists are organized alphabetically by title which is not the easiest way to find a book. I like having a list of authors. I usually keep an alphabetical list in a plastic cover in my purse so I have it handy when I just happen upon a bookstore, antique mall, book sale, library sale, garage sale, flea market or estate sale. Funny how I so often happen to find myself in one of these places! I have become so familiar with favorite authors that I do not often have to consult my list anymore. The lists at the Web sites given are also good to have with you when you go to the library to check out books. As much as it pains me, I know I cannot buy every good children’s book.
O ur family library is full to bursting so I have become very choosy about additions. However, especially with my youngest, who is 6, I always take a list of favorite picture books authors with me when we go to the library so I can find some worthy books among many which are shall we say not so worthy!
So check Page 12 for the support group meeting closest to you and plan to go. If you are a veteran, pray about how you might help a mom who needs encouragement in the beginning years. If you are new to homeschooling, pray that God will give you those one or two mentor moms that will inspire you with fresh ideas and whatever answers you might need.
—Jeannette M. Tulis