Many have pushed aside the idea of homeschooling due to a lack of finances. Many make the decision to stop homeschooling because of a difficult financial time. Hearts that feel the impact of failing make decisions that cause them to retreat and not go forward.
You are not a failure. If you are experiencing a hard time or you feel you can not afford to homeschool, do not feel shame. Many more struggle behind those happy Facebook status updates and expensive looking science experiments on blogs.
A few years ago, I was in a financial situation that I feared would threaten my homeschooling. I must admit I live in a constant state of financial devastation on one end and just making it on the other. I saw moms talk about homeschool co-ops, YMCA classes, field trips, curriculum, and projects, that felt a million miles away from my reality.
To make matters worse, one of my best friends was always taking her girls to activities and sports, while I sat at home without a car or a dime. I hated to admit my jealousy, so I never did, but that didn’t mean it was not there. I was using old curriculum and felt like I was failing my children. Would they better off in school with a teacher less anguished, with friends, with activities, with new and shiny curriculum? I felt I was holding them back. Their boredom began to manifest in ever constant cabin fever. A before and after line has been drawn between “when I had a car” and “when I no longer had a car”. As a homeschooler who wanted to give my children the world, I ended up trapping them inside a home with hardly a view. My heart was heavy. At the end of my tunnel was more tunnel.
It is important to know that during this time I managed my blog and my blog’s Facebook page. I looked like I had it all together. Moms asked me for advice. They looked to me as a resource. Me. I encouraged them, prayed for them, and led them to the right nooks and crannies on the net. Things aren’t always what they seem.
In an act that only God could orchestrate, my family was blessed with a car. The roads were once again open to us. I was able to earn some money to help provide for our homeschool. Life was in color again. Yet, money is still a heavy burden. Financial struggle is a cruel companion.
I was and am in your position, momma. I am here to help. Please join me while I show you what I learned, how I was encouraged, and what I found.