Approaching the Homeschooling Finish Line
It’s hard for me to grasp that this year marks twenty years since I began homeschooling my kids. My brain has resisted thinking about the implications of this. For the longest time, I kept mentally lumping myself in with “young homeschooling” families. I suppose the fact that my youngest is still in elementary makes me conveniently forget that three of my kids are adults, with another on the cusp of adulthood. As much as it pains me to say it, I need to face the fact that I am no longer a “young” homeschooler. In fact, I am far closer to the end of my own homeschooling journey than to the beginning.
Finish Line in Sight
There is a certain wistfulness in thinking about it. To be sure, part of me is a bit relieved. As St. Paul says, “ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race” (2 Tim. 4:7). I’m not done yet, but the finish line is in sight—and that is certainly a relief! I am proud of the people all my kids have become (and are still becoming). And I am certainly looking forward to being able to lay down a lot of the grunt work that comes with managing a homeschooling household. But on the other hand, dang, I am going to miss it all. The bonds I have built with my children, the lessons that have been imparted, the long conversations, the read-alouds, even shuttling them back and forth all over creation to this or that extracurricular.
Yes, I will miss it all.
I am sure many of you are in the same situation, still plugging away at the daily homeschool grind, but increasingly realizing your days are numbered. Will you miss it also? Do you still wish there were a way to keep one foot in the homeschooling lifestyle?
The good news is that just because your own kids are moving on does not mean you need to completely get out of homeschooling. You can keep one foot in the homeschooling world even if your own kids have grown and moved on.
Below are some ideas I have been tossing around for my own future. Some of them I have already put into practice, while others are on my bucket list. All of them are food for thought if you’re considering what your homeschooling future might look like…
Take on Work at Homeschooling Co-Op
One great thing about homeschooling today is that the proliferation of homeschooling co-ops means you have lots of opportunities for staying involved locally. Most homeschool co-ops I have been affiliated with have always had a reliable contingent of veteran homeschooling parents teaching courses, monitoring recess, working backstage at the plays, or doing a hundred other little odd jobs. Working with a co-op is a fantastic way to put your experience to work and stay plugged into the homeschooling community.
Homeschool Blogging & Content Creation
It was not long after blogs became a thing 20+ years ago that homeschool blogging took off, and there is no sign its momentum is slowing! There are more homeschooling blogs, YouTube channels, and podcasts now than ever before. The thirst for homeschooling content is insatiable because homeschooling itself has so many variables. There’s always another facet to consider, another angle to look at, another piece of advice to give.
Homeschooling content is always valuable because your expertise is simply your own experiences. It is precisely in the sharing of stories and experiences that the homeschool community builds itself up. You can discuss your personal triumphs and struggles, share favorite craft or project ideas, or even review new homeschooling materials. You might feel like what you are saying is commonplace or of little value, but remember, there are always people out there who are just starting and are new to this whole world. So speak up, and let the Lord carry your words where He will.
Homeschooling Affiliate Work
Homeschooling organizations often seek affiliates who will support their mission. What this looks like can vary. Some curricula-producing companies partner with affiliates or “ambassadors” to review and promote their products on social media. Others look for people to work their tables at conferences or write blog articles for their outlets. Some even have social media affiliates whose job is to lurk in certain online forums, monitoring conversations and answering questions from the community. Not only is this a solid way to stay engaged, but it builds professional connections and might even net you a nice little chunk of change, as many affiliates are compensated for their work.
Online Communities
There are billions of homeschooling communities online across every social media platform. These are clearinghouses of experience where homeschoolers from all places and walks of life can meet, get to know one another, and swap war stories. Getting involved in online communities is a very low-commitment way to stay involved. You literally only have to log in now and then, scroll through some posts, and drop a few helpful comments. It doesn’t sound like much, but this can be life-changing. I have known of life-long friendships made in these online communities, and your advice can make a huge difference in someone’s life.
Homeschool Your Grandchildren
If your own kids are old enough to have school-age kids of their own, you might want to think about offering to help homeschool your grandchildren. We have many articles on this subject, so if you’re interested in exploring homeschooling as a grandparent, take a look at “Benefits of Grandparents Helping Homeschool,” “Homeschooling Your Grandchildren,” and “Grandparents, Homeschooling, and Meaningful Giftgiving.”
Become an Intercessor
Finally, there is the most important thing—prayer. Homeschooling is great, but it can also be stressful. Everyone could benefit from prayer, especially homeschooling families. If you feel yourself called to a deeper life of prayer now that your kids are getting older, consider devoting some of that time to interceding for homeschool families. There are many ways this could look. You could adopt a homeschool family to pray for. Or dedicate a Holy Hour each week for the intentions of homeschoolers, or offer Rosaries and Masses for your local homeschooling community.
Keeping One Foot in the Lifestyle
Homeschooling multiple kids through to adulthood brings a wealth of experience. If you want to share that experience with others, there are plenty of options to keep one foot in the homeschooling lifestyle. For those of you who are already there, what do you think? Have you tried to find ways to stay involved? I invite you to join other homeschooling parents and me in the Homeschool Connections Community or our Facebook group.
Editor’s Note: For more on this topic, see I’m Done Homeschooling—What Do I Do Now? by Maureen Wittmann.
