Comments on: Letter from an Imperfect Homeschooler

By: Hello world! « thisblessedchaos.com

Hello world! « thisblessedchaos.com — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:55:26 +0000

[...] Letter from an Imperfect Homeschooler [...]

By: Life is Messy « thisblessedchaos.com

Life is Messy « thisblessedchaos.com — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:06:43 +0000

[...] Letter from an Imperfect Homeschooler [...]

By: Larissa Q

Larissa Q — Wed, 26 May 2010 01:20:59 +0000

I just found this via HBLN on facebook. I would like to post it on my blog in the next week or so I would of course link to you and put an info blurb at the bottom.
Larissa Q´s last blog ..My internal jukebox

By: Hello world! « This Blessed Chaos

Hello world! « This Blessed Chaos — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:00:16 +0000

[...] love this blog entry entitled Letter From and Imperfect Homeschooler because nothing about my homeschooling journey has been perfect – or even organized. If [...]

By: Kristi @ The Thrifty Gypsy

Kristi @ The Thrifty Gypsy — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:47:34 +0000

I’m so glad I read this today! I’m homeschooling one of my 9 yr old (he’s a twin) he has PDD (which is basically high functioning autism) since January. His school placement was less than desired! Sometimes I feel like I’m not doing enough (and sometimes I don’t!!!) but he is LEARNING, happy and safe. What more could I ask for? Now his twin brother (typically developing aka no diagnosis, lol) came home yesterday and wants to me homeschooled as well. He misses us and I miss him too! I might take on the challenge of both, but they will also attend a private school a couple days a week ( they have a homeschool program). I have a 20 month old who makes homeschooling VERY interesting, LOL!
Kristi

By: Life is Messy « Home Based Learning

Life is Messy « Home Based Learning — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:28:33 +0000

[...] by reesecoli in General. Leave a Comment A friend recently forwarded this link to Letter from an Imperfect Homeschooler and I am sooo glad she did. I plan to read and reread this [...]

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 03:39:49 +0000

Hey Darcy, I’ve been following your blog for sometime, and I am just now getting brave enough to leave a comment. Shy yes, but wanted to finally say hi. Love this post. Thank you for sharing and re posting it for us newcomers.

By: Dawn Farias

Dawn Farias — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:51:43 +0000

You’re a homeschooler, too?? I just commented on your Wordpress post. Then I saw this one. So, you homeschool, blog, AND run a design site. *wheels turning* Amazing. Inspiring, too. I think I’ll stay a while.

By: Heather E. Sedlock

Heather E. Sedlock — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:11:56 +0000

Thank you for reposting as I’m new to reading this blog. I found it on Rose’s blog (can’t remember what it’s called) and I was very pleased to note that I am not the only one scared of failing (thank you, commentators!). I begin homeschooling my two special needs boys at the end of this week. My son’s 2nd grade teacher is hosting a party for my son to say “goodbye to us and hello to homeschool.” She was really supportive of my choice, which surprised me! And not because she doesn’t love Brandon… school personnel all love him. Just that, as she said, “I know you prayed about this and are God-led. Therefore, you must do it. It really will be better for Brandon and that’s what we all want: the best for him.” Wasn’t that nice?

Anyway… it’s nice to know that I will mess up. I will be imperfect. But that’s acceptable and I just need to dwell on what I do well and trust in God to help me do the rest! Thank you… thank you… thank you… thank you!

By: Angela @Homegrown Mom

Angela @Homegrown Mom — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:57:06 +0000

Love this! the first time I posted about how much I felt I screwed up our homeschool, I was really uneasy about it. But I got a terrific response and someone even re-posted it on their blog, where more moms chimed in and said, “I feel this way, too!” Sometimes I think I’m too honest, and I’ll read other blogs and think why can’t I be more like this person, or that person? Then I realized, I just have to be myself, and people will either like me or they won’t. Simple, but hard to remember sometimes when I feel like “myself” isn’t quite enough.

Of course there are lots of things I don’t share because it would embarrass my kids!

One more thing, I heard someone say at a meeting last year that every homeschool parent they met thought they weren’t teaching their kids enough, but that God seemed to bless their efforts because their kids all ended up doing just fine. Whew. Good to know!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:11:06 +0000

I saw you letter on HOTM Online and I appreciated reading it, but I have a few thoughts {I share this on my blog, but I will highlight my main points}

As far as being REAL on the homeschooling front, it is far more effective for ME to blog about the good things we do. I want to look back and remember what we accomplished that was GOOD. We should not dwell on the bad and ugly. Only the good.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things!” Phillipians 4:8

Furthermore, It SHOULDN’T matter what anyone else is doing on their blog if my true acceptance comes from Him. All the super homeschoolers out there don’t make me less worthy as a homeschooler. I am where I am. I am content with where He has me. I see great ideas and great blogs out there ~ and I am HAPPY for them that they are such a great photographer, mommy, homeschooler, blog designer, etc. etc. I truly strive to be happy for others and not see their strengths as my weaknesses. We ALL have strengths and weaknesses.

If we feel less than par when we read someone else’s blog, then we have work to do. And I don’t mean produce more interesting content so we will feel up to par. We have spiritual work to do. We need to find our worth in God.

~Michelle

By: Micah Murray

Micah Murray — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:34:36 +0000

I just saw this post on the nest files and I am so glad I clicked over and read. I am a homeschool mom of 3. This is our first year and I am definitely not perfect at this. But boy, were you right about keeping defeses high so as not to show anyone our imperfections. I want to prove to the world that we are not crazy…Why? Maybe in my vulerability and stumbling is the testimony that someone needs to give them courage to do the “crazy” thing the Lord is asking them. So again I am laying all pride at the feet of Him who knows better than anyone what it is to be ridiculed…all the time knowing of what kingdom He is from and what His purpose is.
The Lord just wants obedience. The rest of is all Him (thank goodness.) The reminder is much appreciated:)

By: Tammy and Parker

Tammy and Parker — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:17:27 +0000

I’m not going to lie……some days the home schooling a medically fragile child with special needs kicks. my. butt.

Severely.

Then there are the surgeries where he spends days and days in the hospital and the regression that comes from that.

The planning. The therapies along with the learning. Having to create my own units for Parker, geared to his own learning style. I can’t simply go and just purchase a curriculum. With Parker I have to break each task down into min-tasks.

I don’t know many people who homeschool a non-verbal child. Especially one that is medically fragile.

But I know that schooling at home is the very best thing for our Brave Hero.

By: Anna K.

Anna K. — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:52:55 +0000

I’m of the opinion that everything that involves humans, however well-intentioned, is going to be imperfect. An undeniable fact, yes, but not something that should keep us from pursuing what we feel is right for our families.

My child is in public school, but has the unique experience of having a grandparent teach at his school. We don’t depend on his time in the classroom to do all the educating. His education started at home with me and his Dad (also his grandparents, etc.) and I believe in it continuing at home even though he attends classes in a public setting. It’s something that works for us but if I decided that he would be better off at home there would be no hesitation from the Hubs or myself to begin homeschooling……plus I would know just the place to get support! *nudge, nudge, hint, hint* ;o)

By: Barbara Frank

Barbara Frank — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:49:42 +0000

Darcy, you’re blessing many moms with this post. It cannot be said enough: you don’t have to be perfect to homeschool your kids! We have three homeschool grads, and I’m happy to say none of them are perfect, but they’re all doing fine.

May God bless you on your homeschooling journey!

Barbara Frank
Author of The Imperfect Homeschooler’s Guide to Homeschooling

By: Heather

Heather — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:53:15 +0000

Thank you for sharing Darcy and for reminding me there may be gaps, but my children can still turn out just fine.

By: BlueCastle

BlueCastle — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:49:19 +0000

Excellent post. Thank you.

By: Aimee

Aimee — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:31:31 +0000

Thank you for reposting this message. I don’t feel quite so bad about skipping chemistry for the last 3 weeks. Instead, my kids have traveled to five different states, have explored subjects that didn’t quite fit with the curriculum we planned in September, and have made weekend trips to explore college opportunities. My daughter graduates this year. Despite our lack of perfection, I think she’ll be just fine.

By: Sharlene

Sharlene — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:21:08 +0000

You do amaze me, as a HS mom! I’ve learned a lot just from talking to you, and I am not a HS mom! We take what we need from those who inspire us, those who “see the light”, and run with it. It turns us into the parents/teachers/people we are destined to be. Althought I don’t homeschool, there’s a lot of teaching going on at my home! This is a great post!! Thanks Darc!!!

By: Marsha

Marsha — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:47:07 +0000

I am glad you reposted this!

By: Richella

Richella — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:41:16 +0000

I am so glad you re-posted this, for I didn’t know you back when you originally posted it.

So well-said, Darcy. I’ve often wished that I hadn’t stopped homeschooling my kids when I did. Perhaps if I’d had the support that the blogosphere offers y’all today, I would have stuck with it. But perhaps not.

In any event, your words are true for any of us. We send our kids to private school, and we can become discouraged that there are gaps in their education. But that’s true no matter what. Homeschooling is one of the best educational options available, but it’s not perfect. Private schooling is one of the best educational options available, but it’s not perfect, either.

It is way too easy as a blogger to post carefully edited pictures, projecting an illusion of perfection. And you’re right: it’s easy as a reader to forget that the pictures have been carefully edited. And to be discouraged rather than encouraged.

Thank you, thank you for these wise words–not just to homeschoolers, but to all of us. You rock.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:51:36 +0000

What a great post! Thank you for reminding us all of this and I think it is not only true of homeschool but of mothering and womanhood in general. We tend to think everyone else has it together but us when in fact we are all struggling with many of the same issues, we are just afraid to share and open up. Bless you for reminding us to be more open. It will help others, but just as much it will help ourselves.

By: Sybille

Sybille — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 07:43:02 +0000

Yes, great post. I love all imperfect things. They leave a space for fantasy, don’t they?
Warm greetings,
Sybille

By: Wendy @Sun-Kissed Savages

Wendy @Sun-Kissed Savages — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:01:39 +0000

Is it going too far to say “I love you”?
I’ve felt very convicted of “image-promoting” over the past few weeks. I was trying to think positively, keep the smile on so the shadows would fall behind me, show the successes and “defend” my position. So, when I did get a little braver and post some struggles, I received several emails that literally said, “wow, you seem perfect. I had no idea you would be dealing with this.” Ow. I’ve been almost deceptive in my attempt to protect our education choice. Yes, my kids do well, and we enjoy it. No, it is not always easy or “perfect.” We get discouraged, frustrated, and tired like everyone else. We have good days and bad days, like every other school, student, and teacher.
It’s sad that we/I feel such a need to “protect our challenges” from the world. Blame falls both places: the world needs to back-off. And we need to stand up and show the “real” us and help the other “real” moms and dads out there who are struggling with the same issues.

By: Darcy

Darcy — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:50:57 +0000

Forge on, sista!

Great comment.