homeschooling: THE FIRST YEAR with the Wilmoth Family!

Oh, how many of us wished we had not felt so alone in those first few years of homeschooling! Never fully sure of what we were doing, and longing for a pat on the back or someone to check in and simply ask how it was going. That's why we long to create an environment for all homeschooling moms to find community. To know that while we homeschool in the privacy of our own HOMES, we are not isolated, and we are not alone! We are part of something bigger. A community that comes alongside other homeschool families, cheering from the sidelines, encouraging and supportive on the tough days, and sharing our lessons learned. Together we stand!

HOMESCHOOLING THE FIRST YEAR is an up close and personal look into one of our THESIS first year families! Welcome our friends: The WILMOTH Family!

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We are halfway through our first year and what have you learned?

I have learned to become patient… really patient. And also, what truly extending grace looks like. I’ve learned how to pray specifically for my kids and myself during this homeschool year. Honestly, I have already learned so much in such a short time and I've been trying to allow myself to learn and not expect too much out of myself. 

What has surprised you for the good that you didn’t expect?

My relationship with my daughter has grown more. We have always had a good relationship but it has gone to a more special place that I didn’t know it could go. I also surprise myself daily with the fact that I am homeschooling… it’s not something I thought I would ever be doing and I never thought I could do it. Although some days are more challenging than others, I’m so thankful that I chose this route.

What has caught you off guard that you didn’t anticipate?

The thing that has caught me off guard the most is how people react when you tell them you homeschool. Some reactions are good but some are just hard to deal with. I think it's surprising how many people just do not understand what homeschooling truly is/can be. 

What scared you the most going in and how have those fears subsided... or have they?

These are the thoughts I battle the most…, “Will my child be educated correctly?”, “Am I really equipped to teach her?”, and “Am I doing the right thing for her by homeschooling?”.

The thing that helps me the most when I am battling thoughts or fears, is taking a moment and remembering the main reasons we chose to homeschool. And going to God and asking him to help me deal with those thoughts. I know he has equipped me, and I know in this season of life that we are supposed to be homeschooling… but sometimes I just need to turn off the thoughts and be reminded!!

What wins have you seen in your own life, kids life? Character, education, relationships?

My daughter and I have had more one on one time together, which has been beneficial for us both. I have seen a new desire in her to want to learn and also a drive to want learn things on her own. 

Do you feel you have found a community of support in your journey? If so- how has this helped?

I do feel very supported in this homeschool journey, especially by my family. I tend to care too much about what others may think when making decisions (especially when it comes to family/close friends), so the fact that everyone was so supportive really helped me and encouraged me. 

I love homeschooling because…

Homeschooling gives us the freedom to grow and learn together as a family. It gives us more time together, more freedom in our schedules, and we can also travel whenever!

My kids like reading and experiments most of all! 

My biggest struggle is......

Not being enough for my kids. I tend to put way too much pressure and high expectations on myself, so when I don’t follow through I am hard on myself. I also struggle with taking things too serious. I desire to relax a little more and have fun while learning so that my kids see that learning is fun and not always something that is disciplined. 

Where I could use the most help or advice from other homeschool moms would be....

How do you not let things get mundane? How do you keep that drive going that you started with? How do you deal with getting frustrated when your child just isn't getting something? How do you know if you're teaching them enough or doing enough for them in their learning?