Welcome

"Climb every mountain..."
~ from The Sound of Music

Whether you’re a veteran homeschooler, just starting out, or somewhere in between, it’s a good bet you’ve hit a bump in the road at least once (but probably more often). Perhaps it wasn’t just a bump, but more like a big, ugly mountain staring you down.

Here in Washington State, a favorite peak of local climbers is our beautiful Mount Rainier. It's gorgeous as it rises above other hills to glisten in the sun. Many people love to ski on its lower slopes, but braver souls want to conquer the top. No climber, though, would attempt such a feat alone. Climbing with a partner or group has saved the life of many an adventurer.

In the same way, homeschoolers need to group together to offer moral support and encouragement. Often, it's the only we make it to the top. It's true: there is strength in numbers.

Now...what mountain can we tackle together today?

Is it a lack of motivation? We all encounter that at some point in the school year. For me, it tends to hit around fall, winter, spring, summer…you get it. We’ll be looking at ways to reach out and grab the motivation we need. It doesn’t always seek us out, does it? Sometimes we just need to find it ourselves. And when is our lack of motivation more than just a case of boredom and being tired of the same old, same old? We’ll examine the symptoms of depression, which is ever so much more than just a case of the blahs. I know – I’ve been there.

Marital and financial stress can also take a toll on our home education endeavors, let alone our precious family relationships. Regarding homeschooling, do both parents agree that this is even the right path for your family? Do you argue about the curricula being used? Perhaps you’re a single parent, trying to be mom and dad, and hold down a job, all while purposing in your heart to not give up this educational choice you so strongly believe in.

And we all know what else causes stress, though perhaps at a different level: the state of our homes. It’s downright hard to teach your children in a messy house. I know, I know – the myriad of books and projects can make the homeschooling household look like every single room has been ransacked by a crazy mob, but there is a way to get organized and find peace…really.

And what about when your child decides he no longer wants to be homeschooled? What if you decide you don’t want to teach anymore? Don’t give up yet! (Yes, I’ve been there, too.)

Any of the bumps I’ve mentioned can look like mountains when you’re up against them. And they sure can be mountains. But if you’ve run into your own Mount Rainier, you’ve discovered what a mountain really is. Personal tragedy, such as the loss of a loved one, can be devastating, your own personal nightmare. Perhaps an illness like cancer has struck a family member, or you. And what about divorce? How do you go on?

These are some of the topics we’ll be covering here. I hope you’ll find that spark of encouragement -- that reason to keep walking -- that you’re looking for.