And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost of to see if there is there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only foundation before running out of money and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it.”
In this sobering passage of Scripture Jesus was warning the crowds to carefully consider what it would require for them to become his disciples and follow him. Simply put, Jesus warned that following him would cost them everything (Luke 14:33) They would have to be all in and following him would have to be their #1 priority.
He also admonished that if they weren’t willing to suffer (carry their own crosses) then they could not be called his disciples. Jesus told the crowds pursuing him that they needed to carefully consider all that would be required before choosing him.
Homeschool is on the rise across the U.S. which is exciting! It seems like at least once or twice per month someone is asking me about how to get started with homeschooling or asking questions which indicate that they are strongly considering taking the plunge.
I’ve also had a number of friends inquire about various aspects of homeschooling. They listen with genuine interest, but at times there’s a frown, or hesitation, or the voicing of doubt. “I don’t know if I have enough patience.”
“I’m not surprised you’re so into homeschooling, after all, you used to be a teacher.”
“I’m overwhelmed just looking at all the information out there!”
My heart always leaps with excitement when a friend expresses an interest in homeschool, but wilts a little when it seems like their interest wanes. When I think about it in fairness, parents thinking about homeschooling should count the cost.
Strong Support
Whether you need an encouraging pep talk after a trying day with the kids or a few hours away to take a moment and breathe you need a support system to homeschool.
Maybe that support comes in the form of a loving spouse willing to lace up their boots with you on your shared homeschool journey
Maybe it’s a true blue friend or a close family member who believes in what you’re trying to do with your kids and isn’t afraid to say so when you really need to hear it
Or maybe it’s a collection of other homeschool moms who are in the trenches with you or a veteran homeschool mom who knows where you’re at because they’ve been there and done that
Bottomline: For sanity’s sake, you need others to support your efforts to homeschool.
Faith
I’m here to tell you the moment you decide you’re going to homeschool, the naysayers will crawl out of the woodworks to throw a little (or a lot) of shade. It can come when least expected like when you’re strolling through the grocery store in the middle of the day with your kids in tow. Or it can come unsolicited from a close friend or family member with a scathing opinion about your choice. At any rate, you should make sure you’re confident about the call to homeschool to keep your doubts in check. Trust me you have to give grace to the offenders and let things roll off of your back. You’ll have enough of your own times than to add to the negativity of others onto your back.
Commitment and Perseverance
Homeschooling is hard. Not rocket science hard, but marathon-running hard. Its not an attempt for the half-hearted. There will be days, especially the first year, where everything that can go wrong will go wrong and will leave you ready to pull your hair out or put your kiddos on the yellow bus the next day.
Commitment and Perseverance will not only help you to get past the difficult days, but will carry you to the other side where time, patience, and growth smooths the rough patches.
Grace
Sometimes we can get stars in our eyes. We read all the great Pinterest posts on how to homeschool. We attend homeschool co-ops where we see or hear about other homeschool moms who seem to have it all together. Then we look at our own kids, our own homeschool methods or way of doing things and we sink into despair. We see every little mistake, every meltdown, every blowup, and all the little wrinkles of our homeschool life.
But its life’s wrinkles that build character and keeps things interesting. To homeschool with a peace of mind remember to give yourself and your kids grace. Grace to not get everything right. Grace to not have the Instagram perfect homeschool. Grace to grow. Grace to thrive in your daily homeschool life.
Inhale Grace
Exhale Doubt
Kendra
