Dear Suddenly Homeschooling Friends,

You can do this!!!!

Some are nervous because homework time brings out the worst in you and your child and there is no way you can teach them full time. Let me assure you that when you are not both exhausted from getting up early and keeping up with all the academic and social expectations of a whole day at school, you will find a side of your child (and yourself) that you never guessed was there.

Some are nervous because their kids will be there All.Day.Long. I get that. I’m admittedly jealous at the start of each school year as people post about their renewed free time that I don’t have. But the flip side is that you are about to become an expert on your child like you have never known! They are even more amazing than you think! You won’t be getting the “leftovers” of your child’s day, you will get to see them working towards goals. You will realize where they excel and where they struggle. You will get a chance to hear from them in a way that usually only their teacher hears. Or maybe the teacher is too busy for them, and they will thrive in ways you never guessed because they have loving, one-on-one time with a teacher they trust!

Some are nervous because they don’t feel qualified to make educational decisions for their child. That’s best left to the “experts”. But the truth is, study after study has confirmed that your commitment to your child’s education is a better indicator of their future success than your own formal education. You don’t have to be an expert at the content. You can learn alongside your child and they will not suffer any ill effects to their education. So trust yourself, and your children. Forget stocking up on wine, and stock up on cookie dough ingredients instead. Don’t feel condemned to spend this time with your child, embrace the opportunity to know them like you never have before. I promise you that a positive attitude will make this experience into a beautiful memory! There will be some definite adjustments to be made, but who knows? You may just find yourself considering homeschooling full time….