I joined my local homeschool association when my
daughters were still toddlers, eager to meet experienced moms and begin
learning all I could well before I had to make it “official.” As soon as I
joined Facebook, I sought other homeschool moms there, and I found online
homeschool communities, too. I also started following homeschool-oriented
blogs. And through all those connections, I met many incredibly wise women who
generously gave of their time and expertise to help a “newbie.”
Fast forward a few years and, though my daughters are
now only 10 and 11, I find myself on the other side of the proverbial coin. I
don’t know everything about homeschooling – not by a long shot. In fact, I’m
seeking new wisdom as I begin to think about my daughters’ impending high
school years. But I’ve recently noticed that I’ve joined the ranks of “Titus 2
homeschoolers” – the “older women” of whom new and prospective homeschoolers solicit
advice.
On the one hand, it’s a daunting task. I can’t really
know what curricula to suggest since I don’t know the learning styles of the
particular children in question or the day-to-day dynamics of their families.
I’m not sure if the organizational strategies that work for my
kids and me will help another family. The way I balance homeschooling and my
other responsibilities may be totally irrelevant for a mom in a different season
of life.
But I believe in homeschooling. I believe that the individualized,
one-on-one tutoring inherent in home learning is the most effective way to help
any child maximize his God-given potential. And I believe we stand the greatest
chance of raising emotionally strong, spiritually mature children by keeping
them home with their parents, who love them more than even the most dedicated
classroom teacher ever will.
As a result, I’ll do whatever it takes to encourage more
moms to begin homeschooling. And I’ll go out of my way to shore up a
discouraged homeschooler in hopes of convincing her to keep her kids at home
with her.
In the process, I’ve been meeting many wonderful, curious young
moms. And I’ve found great personal joy from answering their questions and
allaying their fears. In fact, I’ve discovered that being a “Titus 2
homeschooler” is one of my favorite things to do.
If you’ve been homeschooling for more than a year or
two, I encourage you to consider taking up the mantle. As with homeschooling
itself, you needn’t be an “expert” to begin offering yourself as a mentor. All
you need is the knowledge you’ve gained from being a little further down the
path than someone else and a willingness to share from your heart.
Think about the women who helped you get started. Where
would you be if they hadn't stepped up? Don’t you want to pay it forward?
*****
HHM
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