Mother Culture

Why Homeschooling Moms Are Leading by Example with Their Own Education

Mother Culture- Why Homeschooling Moms Are Leading by Example with Their Own Education

I absolutely love being a homeschool mom, it is such a blessing. Being able to affirm and educate my child has been a life altering change for both of us. What I didn’t consider when we decided to homeschool, was how much my parental guidance and example to learn myself would shape what our homeschooling looks like. But something unexpected has happened while I’ve been homeschooling. A feeling that I just can’t ignore any longer... Seeing my son have a love for learning and experiencing seeing him learn new things has made me want to learn too!

What Is Mother Culture/ Mom School??

Shortly after beginning to homeschool, I started hearing the phrases “Mother culture” and “Mom school.” I wasn’t quite sure what these meant as a homeschooling mom. Where these special programs for moms to learn how to homeschool? Were they someone trying to bring back basic culture and manners? No, not quite. Basically, these phrases relate to the growing community of homeschooling parents who are learning alongside their children. Parents who are being an encouragement and setting an awesome example by learning new skills and developing their own education.

Developing your own education helps to affirm your at home schooling and set a great example for your kids. It also helps to keep your mind fresh and ideas sharp. You’ll find great encouragement for moms at home among the community of homeschool mom’s who are also learning, and it’s something great to do FOR YOU! I had a Mom friend with 5 children tell me that she needs something to do other than “Think about wiping noses and bottoms all day.” So true! Your parental guidance and example makes such a difference!

What Are Homeschool Parents Learning About?

This answer is as diverse as the number of homeschooling families that exist. Do a quick web search for “Mother culture” or “Mom school” and check out some of the encouragement from those who are walking the walk and learning with their children.

Ideas for what to study include:

• Work ahead in your student’s curriculum, many parents choose to start between 5th and 7th grade.

• Study a period of history you’re weak in knowledge on, or a culture you don’t know much about.

• Choose the subject you’re most intimidated by and make it your “masters,” education is power and will help you feel less worried about what’s to come in your role as teacher.

• Catch up on the classics, grab some classic literature and dig in!

• Study that thing you wish you’d have taken a class on in college.

• Take up a foreign language.

• Do some ancestry studies.

• Read Maria Montessori’s books, and other writings on the Montessori Method.

• Take a few personality tests, work through books on temperament and learn more about YOU.

• Learn to cook, sew, make herbal remedies, ferment your own food, raise chickens, or anything else you’ve said “someday…” to- someday is here!

But, I Don’t Have Any Extra Time to Learn!

Finding the time to add in something extra can feel intimidating. I totally get it, I work full-time, homeschool, hand wash all my laundry and dishes and cook 3 meals a day from scratch. I don’t telll you this to brag, I tell you because something I’ve really learned in the last two years is there’s always time and we can always find time to do something that matters.

Try having the kids listen to an audiobook or watch an educational film to 15-30 minutes while you learn. Ask a friend to do some childcare swapping. Sit down and work next to your children. Get up a little earlier or stay up a little later at night. You can find the time if you’re creative! Look on Meetup, Facebook, or Yahoo groups to find a mom’s group near you. Moms teaching other mom’s through classes, book clubs and co-ops are getting much easier to find. Perhaps you can find a homeschool mom’s group to study together? This will help provide opportunities for you to hang out with other grown-ups and learn together. If nothing exists, start your own or join an online community. No matter what you decide to do, know you’re setting a great example of education and learning for your homeschoolers.

If you still don’t have a clear idea on how to find time as a homeschool parent, I can help. We held a webinar with dozens of homeschool moms to share:

- How to enjoy the structure of a schedule without the guilt if you don't follow it to the minute
- Ways to escape comparison and the "Pinterest Perfect" life
- Building in "relax time" to your homeschool for your family to recharge and renew
- Three words that will save you from feeling you MUST have "all the answers" when your kids have questions
- Ways to love your homeschool when you're a working mom

Watch a whole hour long video on How to Enjoy Homeschooling Through Bad Days, Overwhelm, and Change