Words of Encouragement

A True Story

All of us parents should find encouragement from the words of this homeschooled young woman. She wrote the letter to an acquaintance in response to a question about homeschooling. The daughter sent a copy of it to her Mother (who, of course, got all weepy). Although the words were written several years ago, the sentiments are still fresh and loving and comforting...and treasured deep in a Mother's heart.

Hi____________,
It's _____________. I grew up in a homeschooling family. My mother still homeschools my youngest brother (age 16), and I plan to educate our children (ages 3 and 20 months) at home, also.

I can attest to the fact that homeschooling is at once a challenge and a delight. It takes sacrifice and self-discipline on mom's part, but in my experience the fruits of these labors are unsurpassed.

The children receive the best education available from their mother--the person who knows best how they learn, what motivates them, what discipline is most effective, and most importantly, is most invested in their success! I am the oldest of five--my sister, oldest brother, and I went on to do very well at an academically challenging university. Another brother is a freshman there. The youngest is a junior in high school, but has been accepted to the same school that we all went to.

Homeschooling also contributes to a rich family life. The siblings forge a close bond, the mother gets to truly know her children and delight in all their accomplishments, instead of letting someone else spend those crucial eight or ten hours a day with the kids.

The most frequently voiced criticism of homeschooling is that the children don't receive the social formation that conventionally educated children receive. My siblings and I had thriving social lives that revolved around other Catholic homeschoolers, swim team, baseball, basketball, piano lessons, theater, and ballet lessons. It was a very well-cultivated life and I hope I can provide all this for my children.

Let me know if I can help.

These words are ones a Mother longs to hear, but rarely dares to hope.

Please let encouragement fill your heart. Every worry, tear, frustration, inconvenience, sacrifice is worth it. Blessings will truly abound as the trees bear fruit.

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