that come to your mind when you think of homeschooling parents? Patient? Organized? Weird?

Those are words I often hear others use to describe us, even though I don’t particularly associate any of them with myself. (Okay, maybe weird, but that’s not because I homeschool.)

One word you—and all the people who think we’re weird and patient—may not think of is courageous. While the term may not spring quickly to your mind, if you are a homeschooling parent, you are courageous. If I could explain that to my younger homeschooling self, here’s what I would say:

that come to your mind when you think of homeschooling parents? Patient? Organized? Weird?

Those are words I often hear others use to describe us, even though I don’t particularly associate any of them with myself. (Okay, maybe weird, but that’s not because I homeschool.)

One word you—and all the people who think we’re weird and patient—may not think of is courageous. While the term may not spring quickly to your mind, if you are a homeschooling parent, you are courageous. If I could explain that to my younger homeschooling self, here’s what I would say:

Dear Scared Homeschooling Me,

Hi, friend. It’s me again. I just wanted to let you know what a great job you’re doing. I know you’re scared right now (whenever now is, because we homeschooling parents always seem to be dealing with fear lurking just below the surface), but you’ve got this. Do you know why? Because you dare to do what’s necessary to see this homeschooling thing through.

Don’t believe me? Remember the Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz? The wizard didn’t need to give the lion courage, because he already had it. He just needed to learn to recognize it. That’s you, Courageous Homeschooling Mom.

Look at the facts:

It’s scary to take your first grader out of public school—because what if you ruin her? But you did it anyway.

It’s scary to take full responsibility for your kids’ education—because what if you fail? But you did it anyway.

It’s scary to seek outside help for your child’s learning delays—because what if they blame you and homeschooling? But you did it anyway. 

It’s scary to tackle your kid’s special needs by yourself—because what if you’re not enough? But you did it anyway. 

It’s scary to teach multiple ages and ability levels simultaneously—because what if you can’t meet everyone’s needs? But you did it anyway.

It’s scary to toss the curriculum that isn’t working and go in a completely different direction—because what if that doesn’t work either? But you did it anyway.

It’s scary to keep going on the hard days when everyone (including you) is crying before breakfast—because what if all the naysayers are right? But you did it anyway. 

It’s scary to face homeschooling high school—because what if you don’t remember enough, and what about those classes you struggled with? But you did it anyway.

It’s scary to do something so different than everyone else—because what if you can’t do it? But you did it anyway.

They say that courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s being afraid and doing it anyway. Although you may not recognize it in yourself, you, my friend, have courage in spades. 

You are enough. You are strong. And you are courageous.