Episode 46

It’s the end of August as I share this with you and I’ve been getting so many messages from homeschooling moms like you.  Moms who are struggling with uncertainty, motivation, even panic and fear. How about you? How do you face your homeschooling fears?

I’m here for you when the uncertainty and fear set it.

Because as the poet Hafiz wrote, “Fear is the cheapest room in the house.”

If you can relate, I hope this episode of the Art of Homeschooling podcast heartens you to face your homeschooling fears. You’ll find highlights from the podcast below, as well the full text of this beautiful poem by Hafiz. 

How to Face Your Homeschooling Fears

First off, just stop! Stop going down that fear tunnel. And entertain this thought instead:

It doesn’t have to be all or nothing!

If you don’t feel quite ready with your lesson plans, or the weather’s hot and your energy level is low,  or your supplies haven’t arrived in the mail yet,  then plan something small to get your rhythm flowing and build your momentum. 

Find a way to move forward rather than staying frozen in your fear.

There are so many possibilities:

• Create a puppet show from a story you’ve read together.
• Collect a few stories on similar topics to read and make paintings or drawings of each.
• Plan a Fall festival and spend time each week preparing.
• Build a lesson around a field trip to a museum or nature center.

The trick is to pick one that sounds fun to YOU! So that you can get your happy energy going again for homeschooling. This can really help get the momentum going.

Think about what triggers your fear and make a plan.

• If you’re scrolling on social media and see a picture that brings shame and guilt that you’re not doing enough, fill in the blank in this sentence: “Yeah but we did ________ today!” I know you can think of something!
• Think ahead about how you’ll respond to strangers asking your kids when school starts. Maybe you simply say, “next Wednesday, and we’re excited!” OR “This is part of our homeschooling today!”
• And think ahead about how you’ll respond when a friend or relative or in-law questions your choice to homeschool or your children’s progress.
  Some possible responses could be, “Oh, I’m working with a mentor and she’s helping me with my plans.” Or “We follow a holistic approach that’s hands-on and today we made_______________.” Or even, “Thanks for your concern, but we’ve got this!”

This last one is a big one! And you can reply with love but also a sense of commitment. You don’t owe anyone a big explanation!

I know sometimes  other people’s questions can cause us to feel fear or anxiety about what we’re doing or not doing. I strongly recommend you have a short response in mind.

And then you can go home to talk to your partner or a friend about your concerns. No need to share those with doubters!

Believe me, you are not the only one all over the emotional roller coaster at this time of year. You are not alone. And your feelings are perfectly normal!

But if you make peace with your fear, you take away its power!

Feel the fear and do it anyway!

One of my favorite mantras:  Feel the fear and do it anyway!

That’s really the definition of courage. Courage is not the absence of fear, but feeling the fear and still taking action.

And I read the poem  below to myself, Every. Single. Day. I have a printout of it in my planner. It is the sweetest, most inspiring remedy for fear I know of. 

Fear is the cheapest room in the house by Hafiz

Fear is the cheapest room in the house.
I would like to see you living
In better conditions,
For your mother and my mother
Were friends.

I know the Innkeeper
In this part of the universe.
Get some rest tonight,
Come to my verse again tomorrow.
We’ll go speak to the Friend together.

I should not make any promises right now,
But I know if you
Pray
Somewhere in this world–
Something good will happen…

Over and over again, my experience has been that as long as we can figure out how to face our homeschooling fears, we will keep the learning alive.

How’s it going at your house?

Find More Support Here

If you want any help getting the wheels turning with lively lessons, rhythm, connection, crafting your curriculum or facing your homeschooling fears, consider scheduling a Mentor Session with me. I can help you to get unstuck and to move forward. 

Rate & Review the Podcast

If the Art of Homeschooling Podcast has inspired you, I’d LOVE it if you could rate and review the podcast on your favorite podcast player! Reviews can be left on Apple Podcasts (iTunes), Podcast Addict, or Stitcher.

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