Dear Mom-learning-to-homeschool,
These last few weeks have been pretty crazy.
Hi. I’m Amanda.
A mom trying to homeschool three “big” kids while saving the toilet paper from a toddler. I’m probably a lot like you. I love my kids and want the best for them, but sometimes we all drive each other crazy. Moms and kids enjoy being together, but sometimes homeschooling can be just a little TOO much togetherness, right?
We made the transition from regular schooling to homeschooling several years ago now, so maybe this is where I can help you out and share some things I’ve learned.
See, I taught public school for 14 years, so I have a solid understanding and respect for the educational community. It takes a LOT to be a teacher! Teachers are essential and the bedrock of the future of our communities.
I’m pro-public schools because we absolutely need them.
But when it came time to send my own kids to school, I wanted something more, something different. So, I worked part-time teaching public school but put my daughter in a private university-model school. We tried it for a few years until my second child was ready to begin kindergarten.
With two school aged kids and a baby on the way, I quit teaching public school and started my own tiny academy right in my family room, embarking on the amazing journey of homeschooling. Now, I have three school-aged kids and a very busy toddler. We’ve been homeschooling together for five years.
I’m pro-homeschooling because we need those, too!
There is room in our communities for all types of schooling. After all, we all want the same thing: a good education for our children.
Public school, private school, homeschool – The kids and I have done it all! Mama working full time, part-time, staying at home – done that all too! And you know what? No matter how you choose to do it:
Mothering is hard work. Teaching is hard work.
It’s the most challenging, discouraging, guilt-laden, frustrating job on the planet one moment and then the most glorious, beautiful, rewarding privilege the next.
READ: Top 10 Tips for New Homeschoolers
If you are a mom, you ARE a teacher.
You don’t have to become one. You already are. You taught your baby how to feed, how to walk, how to talk, how to hug, how to love. You became a mother the moment God placed him in your womb. You became a teacher the moment he was born. It doesn’t matter if you are a homeschooler, a private-schooler, or a public schooler, you are and will always be your child’s first and most important teacher.
You can do this! We all can. We all need each other on this teaching mothering journey.
So, I’m a mom and I’m a teacher, too…and that’s where I got my name! My bilingual students in public school always called me simply, “Maestra” which means Teacher in Spanish. It’s a calling I wore proudly. Just as proudly as when my littles today call me “Mom”. So, I named my site MaestraMom and this is my very first post.
I’m just beginning this little blog and I have no idea where God will take it, but my goal is to help you out as much as I can. I’d like to provide resources, ideas, tips, and more than anything — encouragement. Mothers need other mothers!
READ: Why I Homeschool My Kids
If you are a mom, you are a teacher already. Stay healthy and safe in the care of God.
I’d love to have you join me in your teaching and mothering journey. Let’s stay connected!
UPDATE: Fast-forward a few years after writing this post and now I’ve written a book to help out mommies new to homeschooling! You can grab your own copy on Amazon!
One thing that really upset me last week were two friends on FB who told me they wished people who were now at home teaching their kids didn’t call it “homeschooling.” I was floored. They thought calling it “homeschooling” instead of “virtual learning” or “crisis schooling” would give “real” homeschooling a bad name, and they were concerned that people would be turned off by homeschooling, because it was harder that they though. I told them, “I don’t think it really matters right now.” When pressed further, I said “I would not debate this further because it wasn’t kind or charitable.” What do you think?
Kimberly,
Teaching is teaching. I don’t think it much matters if it’s done in a crisis or a time of peace, within the walls of a school or a home. We are all in this together!
Absolutely!
So happy you’re doing this blog Amanda! I’ll be sure and check back.
Thanks, Cheri! I hope you come back often!
Love this new venture! And I love you! ❤️
Thanks Debbie!
This is great, Amanda! Glad you are doing it! I now get to experience the other side… at the same time I’m still working the public school side. Aaahhh!
Kelly, that is so tough to homeschool AND teach in schools at the same time! You got this!
So excited to follow your blog! You have so much experience, wisdom, heart and love for helping children and mommas! Thank you!
Thanks, Jenny!
I love that you launched a new blog! I loved this first post and I am really looking forward to the next! I wholeheartedly agree- as a mamas we are teachers! It’s part of the gift that He gave us when we were given children 💕.
I agree completely! Thanks for the encouragement!