July 31, 2024 – Finding Mentors and Creating Support Groups

Mercy Every Minute

Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor

Build Each Other Up

 ^“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do” (I Thessalonians 5:11).

As I began homeschooling in the early 90s, I quickly sought out those who had gone before me and were homeschooling successfully. I needed to see someone who knew what they were doing and could share it with me. I found many mentors in homeschool families at church, in a city homeschool support group, and in my neighborhood. 

Later, there were online forums and social media to help direct a newcomer. But there is nothing like spending time with like-minded families and sharing education together. 

Some practical ways we can mentor others is to be available; answer questions; and attend, start, or support a local or state homeschool group. In this way, we can mentor and nurture others on the same journey. Now that I have come full circle, I am, hopefully, able to steer others in a good direction and ease their fears.

1 Peter 4:10 states “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Let’s continue to minister to one another through mentoring others or creating a supportive group that mentors many. We all need a hand and we all need each other. 

If you are looking for a local support group in your state, start by asking your state homeschool organization. And, find many state organizations here: The Old Schoolhouse Magazine – Summer 2024 – page 10 (thehomeschoolmagazine-digital.com)

Also, listen in to our podcast this week where I interview Yvonne Strachan of Inspirational Homeschooling on this topic. www.HomeschoolShow.com 

Especially in this day when we are bombarded with every evil way, let’s continue to build each other up as we all train our children at Home. Where They Belong.

~Deborah

If you’d like your church to become a schoolhouse support group, visit www.ChurchSchoolhouse.com for more information.

“Kid-Friendly Fun. Seriously Powerful Reading Program.” Rosen Publishing’s LevelUp Reader is a fun and adaptive literacy platform that meets the reader where they’re at: https://zfrmz.com/Bv89rQZorjRk8SFdqKXo

Todd Wilson

Familyman Ministries

Everybody Needs Somebody . . . Sometime

Someone recently told me support groups are a dying breed. I guess I didn’t realize that homeschool groups might even be considered a dying breed. But of course, I still like the mullet haircut from the 80s and might be missing something.

My thought on homeschool groups is that as long as there are homeschoolers, there will be a need for homeschool groups. Now those may change and evolve over time, but homeschooling moms will always need encouragement.

If you’re trying to ‘go it alone’ . . . and I know some of you are, then you’re swimming in dangerous waters. You may think you’re doing okay, but you were not meant to go it alone. You may not belong to a homeschool support group, but you need someone (besides your husband) to encourage you and for you to encourage.

Actually, I think it was originally called the body of Christ, and they need you as much as you need them

Oh, yeah, and remind them to . . .

Be real,
Todd

About the author

Todd Wilson is a dad, granddad, writer, conference speaker, and former pastor. Todd’s humor and down to earth realness have made him a favorite speaker at homeschool conventions, retreats, and churches across the country. As founder of Familyman Ministries and the Smiling Homeschooler, his passion and mission are to remind dads and moms of what’s most important through weekly e-mails, podcasts (The Familyman Show & The Smiling Homeschooler), seminars, and books and products that encourage parents. Todd, and his wife Debbie, still homeschool two of their eight children (six have graduated with four married) in northern Indiana. You can read more at www.familymanweb.com.

New to homeschooling? Our free community has resources, coaches, and experienced homeschoolers ready to support you. Join today, and share with your friends! https://www.skool.com/homeschool-together-3592

Danika Cooley

Finding Your People

Homeschooling is, by necessity, a home-centered task. We homeschoolers teach, live, and play in our environment for eighteen years with each child. That home-centered way of living is wonderful for creating family bonds. That said, we all need a little mentorship and community sometimes. 

When I first considered homeschooling, I found two families at church who homeschooled and asked each mom if I could come home with them. Those fabulous ladies invited me into their homeschool areas and explained their homeschool philosophies. I went through their curriculum bins, looked at the finished projects their children put together, and flipped through their plans for each year. 

Over the years I’ve had other moms ask me for help, and I’ve done the same for them. There’s nothing a homeschool mom loves more than to talk about how she has homeschooled and the resources she has used. 

State homeschool conferences are another way to meet local moms and homeschool curriculum authors. Today, there are also wonderful online options that allow moms to connect and learn about homeschooling. Online conferences, homeschool blogs and YouTube channels, and homeschool Facebook groups are all wonderful ways to locate mentorship and support.

If homeschool co-ops are available in your area, they are always a great option to allow children to create friendships. We took another route. Our children attended a Bible memory club at church during the week, and we also joined a social homeschool group. Our social group organized field trips to the zoo, the theater, and the art museum. Once a week we met to check out a local park or event. Eventually, my children made friends there and we got together with another family for a couple hours each week.

Homeschooling is a home-centered task. It doesn’t have to be lonely, though. There are so many ways to meet other homeschool families and to form life-long relationships—or just flip through some amazing curriculum options.

About the author

Danika Cooley is an award-winning children’s author who blogs about Bible books, crafts, activities, and snacks at Thinking Kids. Her books include Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible, Bible Investigators: Creation, and the Who What Why series, a line of Christian history for 7–11-year-olds. Grab your free three-week sample of her popular Bible Road Trip™ curriculum here.

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