I am in awe of God and how He has used
Deborah’s article, “Ten Years of Burnout,”
to speak to my situation. I felt so confused
and burned out around the end of last
year and it had spilled into this year. I had
many emotional roller coaster rides daily
while still having to homeschool. Like
Deborah, I was reminded of my need to
eat the Word. I had become spiritually
proud and stopped reading because I felt
I already knew everything. However, a
wonderful friend lovingly told me I was
spiritually starved and needed to stay in
the Word so the Father could ;ll me back
up. It’s nice to know I am not the only one
who went through something like this.
—Mahogany M. Carrollton, GA
Readers Helping Readers
Our goal here is to build each other up
and support each other in this journey.
;is is where you come to ask other
homeschool teachers your questions or
answer a question for someone else. Each
month we will post a question that you
are asking and we will print your answers
here as well! Here was February’s question and your answers:
Follow Us on
Facebook and
Twitter!
If someone asked you what to expect
when transitioning from public/pri-vate school to homeschool, what advice
would you give them?
It is important to understand that every
homeschool mother feels overwhelmed
and completely inadequate at some
point—especially (but not only or always) at the beginning. Do not take that
as a sign that you are not called to do this.
Use it as a reminder to pray and to seek
God. On our own, we are inadequate, but
God is faithful to meet all our needs.
—Rebecca Flannery, Je;erson, GA
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and have all the wit and wisdom of
many years of homeschooling experience at your ;ngertips! ;e Old
Schoolhouse Facebook Fan Page is an
extremely active source of encouragement and inspiration as you journey
through your calling to keep them
Home Where ;ey Belong. Let us be
your “friend” on Facebook!
;ank you so much for sharing!; It was incredibly encouraging to read your struggles coupled with the lessons learned and
over a long span of time!;Your article was
very encouraging to me.
With each issue of ;e Old Schoolhouse Magazine there’s your beautiful
family picture. And as usual, there I sit
comparing myself to all the good I see
everyone else accomplishing, even in a
family photograph.;Goodness!; I think it
has been over a year since every member
of my family was dressed in their best,
hair combed, smile on face—all at the
same time! And of course, there wasn’t a
camera around to capture the moment!;
I would have liked to have had the proof
that my family can indeed look “
;n-ished”!;Yes, life o;en feels out of control.
Your article was a fresh reminder that it
is all in God’s control and there is much I
can learn about God through it all.
;Come to think of it, might I recommend that you surprise all of us readers
with a new Wuehler family photo.;One in
which you surprise your family, grabbing
them from all their varying locations and
. . . quick . . . snap a picture!;No touching anyone up or ;nger combing heads
of hair or wiping o; faces! Make sure you
yourself don’t cheat and comb your own
hair any more than you do on any typical day!;I would really like to see a messy
room in;the background.;For that photo,
I don’t think you would even need to
write an article!
—Jill Connelly, Rochester Hills, MI
When we made the switch from public
school to homeschool two years ago, I
had no idea how our days would go. I
imagined sitting at the table with my
6th- and 2nd-grader while they quietly
did their work and listened intently as
I explained lessons. All the while, my
2-year-old would be playing quietly
near us. Oh, was I in for a big surprise!
;ere was bickering between the kids,
crying over math and grammar, and
lots of screaming from the 2-year-old!
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I thought: “Dear Lord, I thought this is
what you wanted me to do! Why is this
not working?” A;er about a month of
these types of days I decided to back o;
of our schedule and really evaluate what
works best for our children and for me.
I threw them too quickly into school at
home. I remember reading in other pub-
lications that you need to let your chil-
dren “de-school” for a while, to begin
Okay, Jill, you asked for it! Here we are
at our regular craziness. Enjoy the mess!
Laughing out loud!
—Deborah
www.; eHomeschoolMagazine.com
