Why Homeschool Moms are Giving Up (and how to escape the pitfall)

Dear tired homeschool mom, 

Are you feeling burned out with homeschooling lately? Has the excitement you once had become lost in the mundane tasks of your days? Maybe you’re starting to doubt whether you’re cut out for this gig. Or perhaps motherhood itself has worn you down and you’ve lost your joy.    

Well, you’re not alone. 

Homeschool moms have so much that we are juggling on a daily basis: homeschooling, parenting, homemaking, our marriage, friendship, extended family, church family, ministry, and maybe even additional work on the side! We are sometimes anxious and stressed about everything from behavior or learning challenges in our kids to nurturing our marriage or getting the house decluttered. 

It’s enough to leave anyone overwhelmed. And things aren’t always easy, either! We might struggle with disappointment and frustration when we realize we’re doing the same things over and over with seemingly little progress. We get burned out trying to be superwoman and neglecting self-care. After all, how can we really find rest!? The to-do list is never-ending and there are always expectations to meet. Right?

Yes, it is challenging, but it’s joyful, too! 

And it’s completely worth the effort. 

We all know this. 

… or do we? 

The truth is, sometimes homeschool moms get so burned out that they stop believing the truth of those statements. They are tempted to give up and give in, even in spite their convictions or desires for their family. There are many reasons this can happen, such as special circumstances, a particularly challenging season of life, chronic illness, or something else out of our control. 

But there’s ONE big pitfall that I am seeing over and over again. It’s pushing moms to bail out on homeschooling for all the wrong reasons, and in some extreme cases, even bailing on their families entirely.  So, why are homeschool moms giving up? 

 

"There’s ONE big pitfall that I am seeing over and over again. It's pushing moms to bail out on homeschooling for all the wrong reasons, and in some extreme cases, even bailing on their families entirely." Why Homeschool Moms are Giving Up (and how to avoid the pitfall) #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolmom

Disclosure: *This post may include affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read the disclosures and terms for more information.

 

Why Homeschool Moms are Giving Up

I am a homeschooling mom of 6. Homeschooling is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done and I’m the first person to extol the virtues of homeschooling to anyone who will listen. But… let’s admit it. Just like parenting, homeschooling is really hard, too. All worthwhile things are. 

As Christian homeschool moms, we are discipling and instructing our children to know and love God and prepare them for the work He calls them to. There is no other task more important or more rewarding. But it’s no cake walk! It would be foolish to pretend it was. 

Much like following Jesus, parenting our children and homeschooling them are worthwhile goals with immeasurable value. But imperfect parents raising imperfect children makes for a messy life! And since we are doing important Kingdom work in our homes, we should fully expect opposition and spiritual battle as well. 

Homeschool moms will face many challenges, including:

  • Fatigue  
  • Discouragement 
  • Doubt 
  • Anxiety  
  • Loneliness 
  • Criticism 
  • Feelings of Failure 
  • Feelings of being unappreciated 
  • And more

When we’re faced with these challenges, will we keep our hope in Christ, leaning on the Lord for strength and direction and growing in faith? Or will we slip into discontent or even defeat when trials come? 

How we handle the trials of life really matters. The question isn’t whether the trials will come, it’s when. And, more importantly, how we will handle them when they arrive! 

Discontent is a real and dangerous pitfall for the homeschool mom. It is especially dangerous because nobody is really talking about it. I’m not talking about the kind of holy discontent that looks heavenward and longs for perfection in Christ. Or the normal frustration over a bad day or week. Instead, it’s the discontent that leads us to suspect we got the short end of the stick. 

You see, the world shouts that everything is all about our happiness, our recognition, and our satisfaction, ease, and success. It tells us we are entitled. That we deserve better. 

As Christians we know the truth. We know that, yes, God wants us to be happy and satisfied. He wants us to take sufficient care of ourselves so that we can serve Him well and He gives us all we need for godly living. He is a Good Father like that! 

But in His goodness, for our own sake and for His glory, He is far, far more interested in our holiness than in our happiness. It’s not about us and God never promised that the work He called us to would be easy.

"Yes, God wants us to be happy and satisfied... He is a Good Father like that! But in His goodness, for our own sake and for His glory, He is far, far more interested in our holiness than in our happiness." Why Homeschool Moms are Giving Up! (and how to avoid the pitfall)

We know these things as followers of Christ, and yet even dedicated Christian homeschool moms are not immune to the messages the world is shouting! Those messages can come in a seemingly innocent form, but if we let them, they will sneak in and take root in our hearts. 

The real danger isn’t in occasionally being discouraged by the trials of life. The danger comes when we begin entertaining the ideas that the world is shouting at us instead of putting them in their place. We become what James calls the “double minded man, unstable in all his ways.“ And it will take its toll.  

Sadly, I’ve seen homeschool moms get to a point of burnout and feeling like this life isn’t what it was cracked up to be. Weighed down by their burdens and unmet expectations, they give in. They are lured to the world’s call and a root of bitterness is allowed to grow. 

Friends, when we nurture that bitterness and discontent instead of confessing and repenting of it, it can wreak great havoc in our lives. It can even destroy our families. 

So where do we go from here? Well, I say it’s time for a little reality check.

What You Need to Know in Order to Run the Race Well

Contrary to what Pinterest or Instagram posts would have you believe, this life of raising children for the Lord isn’t all perfect relationships, pristine homes, and stock photos of smiling families. (News flash, right?) This is real life full of real people who are all deeply flawed. But there is beauty, joy, and Jesus there, too. 

Here’s what you need to know if you’re going to run the race well.

#1: It will be hard.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4 

Perhaps you are just starting out as a homeschooling mom and have great ideals about what homeschool and family life should look like. And I want to be clear: that’s a good thing! The Lord gives us vision and encouragement for a reason. However, we also need to know that trails will come.  

  • Faithfully following God is hard 
  • Marriage is hard
  • Parenting is hard
  • Managing a household is hard. (Can I get an amen?)
  • Homeschooling is hard 

There will be difficulties in your life as a homeschool mom such as conflicts, disappointments, hurts, and frustrations. You might hit a dry spot in your spiritual life, struggle with intimacy in your marriage, have a child who is chronically lying and you don’t know what to do, have trouble staying consistent in your homeschool or a learning challenge that’s stumped you. Perhaps you have a hard time connecting with a community, feel like you’re drowning in housework, have a chronic illness, or are dealing with a job loss. 

These are trials. They are hard.  But they are also incredible opportunities!

Make no mistake: the trials will come! So it’s important that we are alert and expect them. When we know trials are coming we are less likely to be caught off guard by them. It’s like riding waves in the ocean. When you know the waves are coming you can respond and adjust in a way that gets you through them and even brings joy! But if you’re not facing the waves and don’t expect them, they pretty much just knock you flat.  

How we think about the trials of life has more of an impact on our ability to thrive than the trials themselves. Little trials and big trials – they are coming our way. As difficult as they can be, they are actually incredible opportunities. The challenges homeschool moms face each day provide precious opportunities to draw closer to God and experience the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It’s hard, but it’s worth it. 

So that’s point number 1: It will be hard. Expect it and look for the opportunities to draw closer to God. 

"The challenges homeschool moms face each day provide precious opportunities to draw closer to God and experience the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It's hard, but it's worth it." Why Homeschool Moms are Giving Up! (and how to avoid the pitfall)

 

#2: You are not enough.

 “In him we live and move and have our being” Acts 17:28 

That’s a bit jarring to read, isn’t it? But it’s true.

See, these days, we are either bombarded with comparison and messages telling us about all the ways that we just don’t measure up to some invisible standard, or we are inflated with meaningless platitudes that we are powerful, good enough on our own, and don’t need anyone else to be complete or to succeed in life. 

But they’re wrong. Both of these perspectives are unbiblical and they can lead us astray. The truth is in the Scripture: Our true identity, value, and worth are found in Christ alone. Our life itself is sustained by the Lord and we rely on Him every day to accomplish what he asks us to do.  

The truth is we cannot find true fulfillment and satisfaction in anything but Christ. Not in homeschooling, or work, or marriage, or parenting, or being a SAHM or a WAHM… If we try, we are setting ourselves up for failure and disappointment. If you look for fulfillment in your relationships, accomplishments, circumstances, or possessions, you are looking in all the wrong places and are in danger of not only falling into the pitfall of discontentment, but falling away from God.  

The bottom line for #2 is that we are not enough and we don’t have to be, because He is! We can’t accomplish what God has asked us to do on our own strength. We must rely on the Lord! And we won’t find lasting satisfaction or fulfillment in anything but Christ. 

When we realize this and lean fully into it, we will have a truly full and satisfied life.  

"The truth is we cannot find true fulfillment and satisfaction in anything but Christ. Not in homeschooling, or work, or marriage, or parenting,... Our true identity, value, and worth are found in Christ alone." Why Homeschool Moms are Giving Up! (and how to avoid the pitfall)

 

#3: You will need to surrender.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

“Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

We all like to make plans. Heaven knows that homeschool mamas definitely like to make plans! But we have to hold those plans loosely and surrender them to God. 

That goes for homeschooling as well as our family life and even our personal dreams and desires.  We can lay our desires at God’s feet, trusting that in His great love and in the power of His sovereignty, He will determine what is truly best for us. And we can pray that He will embed in our hearts desires that are in line with His will and bring Him glory.

Do we trust Him with our desires and expectations? Really? When trials and discouragement come our way, do we trust the Lord with our lives and hearts right where He has planted us? The truth is that things never really turn out the way we plan, but we can surrender that to God, setting aside any fear of the future or concern for our care because we know that He will care for us.  

So #3: Do not hold tight to your plans and dreams. Surrender them to God. What He has planned is always far better in the end. 

"We can lay our desires at God's feet, trusting that in His great love and in the power of His sovereignty, He will determine what is truly best for us." Why Homeschool Moms are Giving Up! (and how to avoid the pitfall)

 

#4 You will have to die.

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 16:25  

 If we really want a full, meaningful, satisfying life, we’ll need to die. Instead of clinging to our agenda, we die to self and fully trust God. When we do that, no matter where He has called us to serve, we are better able to connect with people in a genuine way, have meaningful lives, and bear much fruit. 

We need to put our discontent and self-focus to death, taking up our cross and following Jesus. Then we are able to freely give of ourselves to our family without bitterness and resentment.  When we truly die to self,  contentment and fulfillment become welcome friends and we can rest in a place of confidence in who we are in Christ. It’s a beautiful place to be! 

"When we truly die to self, contentment and fulfillment become welcome friends and we can rest in a place of confidence in who we are in Christ." Why Homeschool Moms are Giving Up! (and how to avoid the pitfall)

 

The Keys to True Happiness and Satisfaction 

If you want to stay the course well and find true happiness and satisfaction as a homeschool mom, then capture those discontent thoughts for Christ and hold them up to the light of scripture! Do not nurture worldly ideas and discontent. Do not allow a root of bitterness to take hold!

Instead, expect the trials and look for joyful opportunities to glorify God. Lean on the Lord and find your satisfaction in Christ alone. Surrender your will and expectations to God, trusting Him to care for your needs and continue working on your heart. Die to self and live freely in Christ. He is trustworthy!

Also Guard Your Heart

And if I might add one more thing here, because this is so important: Guard your heart and mind against what is not of God. 

Pray for wisdom and guidance when you consider what books or blogs to read, movies to watch, or even browsing social media: Watch for things that breed discontent in your heart or blast worldly messages into your ear. Sometimes it can be subtle. 

The messages we consume every day DO have an effect, whether we see it right away or not. Instead, saturate your life with the truth of God’s Word. Read it, display it, listen to it, sing it. Preach it back to yourself and preach it to your kids! Fill your days with prayers and praises. There is no better guard against the pitfall of discontent than the Word of God and the habit of prayer. They are the sword and shield in your battle. 

There is no better guard against the pitfall of discontent than the Word of God and the habit of prayer. They are the sword and shield in your battle.

I hope this encouraged you, dear homeschool mom! May you grow strong and confident in your identity in Christ, resisting the stronghold of discouragement and instead trusting in the Lord for all things. 

~ Tauna

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This Post Has 105 Comments

  1. Jodi Krisher

    Thank you!

    1. Mumeep

      Thanks so much for the words of encouragement… exactly what I needed to hear as I prep for 5 kids homeschooming next september.

  2. Stephanie C.

    What a great reminder to make sure we are leaning on God in our homeschooling journey.

  3. Brittany

    This is really encouraging, especially in light of starting up our school year soon. Discontent is so often at the root of my overwhelm, and often the discontent comes from comparing myself or my situation to everyone else’s.

  4. Laurie S.

    I needed this pep talk.

  5. 4kidsmom

    Thank you for the encouraging post!

  6. Marci Endres

    Thanks for the encouraging message.

  7. Lori Griggs

    Guarding our heart and mind is so important, especially in these last days.

  8. M C

    That hit home! Thank you so much!

  9. Sandrine

    Hi Tauna,

    Thank you for your encouragement and reminder from your post. Very relevant and timely.

  10. KF

    These are great reminders and excellent encouragement to run the race well. Jesus is indeed our anchor in the storms of life, homeschooling or otherwise!

  11. Jenniffer Grafton

    Thank you so much for this! I’m just starting our homeschool journey, and having this realistic picture, as well as the tools and weapons to combat the hazards, is truly relieving for me!

  12. Kristie

    I love your analogy about the waves in the ocean and troubles in our life. Thanks for the encouragement!

  13. Kim Wenzel

    This was JUST what I needed to be reminded of today! My joy and contentment come fully from Christ….He is all I need. Thanks you!

  14. Rachel S

    Thank you for this encouragement that we all so need from time to time! Beautiful post! Keep using your platform to glorify Him!

  15. Kristin

    This is such a wonderful reminder!!

  16. Laura

    After homeschooling for 12 years it is still good to be reminded. Thank you!

  17. Christy

    Homeschooling is so hard but so rewarding. I am so thankful that I listened to the Lord’s leading. <3 He truly knows what is best.

  18. JennieT

    Your are always so encouraging. Thank you. I have been homeschooling for 17 years. And have had my share of burnout, struggles and letting other things get in the way. It took me to long to just give it God. It makes all the difference❤️ Thanks for this post. And pray homeschool parents will glean from your wisdom

  19. Lauren Tullous

    Thus really helped me keep going. Thank you.

  20. Samantha Williams

    Love this! I have been homeschooling for a little over a year now. My oldest is finishing up his senior year in public school because of his heavy involvement in band and theater. The three youngest aged 11, 8 and 4 are at home with me. Homeschooling was never part of my plan. I have my teaching degree and planned on teaching in a public school setting. The Lord, however, had other plans and I knew in my heart that at the end of the day it does not matter how I feel plans should go, what matters most is that I follow the plans the Lord has laid before me. There has been many ups and downs, a lot of sacrifices and making decisions, sometimes with the faith of a mustard seed, but I know every bit of it is worth it. Things may not always go the way I think they should, but God knows me and my family better than we’ll ever know ourselves and I trust Him to write our story! Thank you for the encouragement!

  21. Tabitha

    Thank you for this encouragement! I’ll probably be saving & rereading this a few times through-out the coming school yr 😉

  22. Kim

    Thank you for your point of view. It is easy to get discouraged as a homeschool mom, and it’s encouraging to know our strength comes from God.

    1. Nisha

      Love this! Thanks for such an encouraging post. God bless you and your family.

  23. Anna

    Thank you for your words of truth instead of so much fluff found other places!

  24. Christie Sheats

    I love this so much. The culture around us is constantly preaching that contentment comes through making ourselves happy, and it’s so nice to have your blog that tells us the TRUTH of God!!

  25. Caryn

    This is wonderful. My kids 4 kids are still 2nd grade and under so we’re only a couple of years into our journey, but I imagine it will become more difficult as we add more information, more activities and stronger personalities. My husband and I are committed to homeschooling our kids through high school and are excited for this opportunity. I have had the discontentment sneak in as I see other moms with kids going to public school out having coffee together as I’m in the trenches with books, diapers and a messy house. But as I pray about it, I get a wave of sadness that these moms are missing out on everyday life with their kids. I’m the one who gets to have all the meaningful (and not-so-meaningful) conversations with my kids about why rain falls, how birds fly, and why we learn about the things we do. I’m the one who gets to make my kids cocoa with sprinkles at 10:30 in the morning during school if I want to. I get to hug them when they fall down while playing and make lunch along side them everyday. What a priviledge and blessing it is to be given the time to help shape them as God wants me to. I pray that I will always remember and treasure what a short but important time this is in my life and in their lives. Thank you for reminding me of this and encouraging me.

  26. Aimee K

    Thank you for the encouragement and reminder. So timely as the message from church yesterday ties in so nicely with your post. Jesus is ALL we need and gotta keep striving to be connected to Him moment by moment. Tysm for using your blog to point others to Jesus! God is glorified =)

  27. CJ Peretti

    So needed—thank you!

  28. Abigail M

    I picked up a phrase somewhere years ago that goes something like, “Feelings are real, but they aren’t always true.” When we start feeling discouraged we need to acknowledge those feelings, but then focus on what’s true.

  29. Cherie

    My daughter is in her second year of college after successfully completing our home school program from age 4 on up. There were many times throughout our journey that I wondered what we were doing and if we were doing the right thing for her. God’s grace and our faith are the only things that got us through. I keep reminding myself that the benefits far outweigh everything else as we home school our son. And don’t forget that there are always people willing to help you & support if you’re willing to look for it. You don’t have to shoulder everything all on your own!!

  30. Myra

    Such important truths to remember! Thank you for not watering it down.

  31. Ana Camacho

    Pray, pray, pray and believe… Specially when marriage tips don’t seem to work…Don’t give up (1 cor 13), keep on loving, forgiving… GOD CREATED MARRIAGE AND HE IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO LISTEN AND TO GUIDE YOU!!!

  32. Suzette423

    Great site! Keep up the great job & Thank you!

  33. Vanessa

    Thank you for this post. I need to be reminded of why I am homeschooling.

  34. Rachel Hibbard

    Such an encouragement!

  35. Brooke

    Thank you! We all get discouraged sometimes.

  36. Kayla Barnes

    Thank you!

  37. Kelly G

    This was so encouraging to read! This homeschool journey has been very hard, but praise God he has given me the ability to continue on!

  38. Ashley

    Thank you

  39. Erin

    Thank you! I need this reminder as I get ready for this next school year. I have struggled with this the last few years and I keep coming back to the same conclusions you have stated here. It was such an encouragement to read and to know I’m not the only one who feels this way. Thank you again.

  40. Christina Fox

    Thank you for this encouraging message!!!

  41. Laura Stephenson

    Wow! Very encouraging words. Thank you for the much needed truths that we need to stand by as homeschooling moms!!

  42. Jane

    What a blessing this is. I just happened to fall upon it. Thank you for sharing your love of the Lord and the importance of home schooling and how it all fits together. God bless you!

  43. Jennifer

    Thank you, Tauna. I really needed this great reminder and encouragement right now. I appreciate your courage to speak the truth in love.

  44. Amasnda

    Great article. Very encouraging. Much needed read for this homeschooling mom.

  45. Tjae

    Thank you so much for these encouraging words!!

  46. Stacy Duncan

    Thank you for this post- especially for encouraging those to guard their hearts. I see a lot of homeschool families who look just like the secular world. Thank you for this Godly reminder!

  47. Sarah

    Excellent post!

  48. Leteisha Tate

    Love, Love, Love this post. Reading this blog post was a breath of Holy Spirit glory. Thank you for this encouraging word. I’m homeschooling my youngest and it’s had some challenging moments, not to give up but how to do it in a way that’s pleasing in my journey with Christ. This really blessed me. Thank you.

  49. Sarah Bauer

    Thank you Tauna! Your words definitely brought peace to my heart.

  50. Andi B

    Thank you for giving people a place to get real with each other and see that they aren’t as alone as they seem. As well as pointing people to God. I also like reading the comments and seeing people raising each other up.

  51. Angela B

    This was a great read. Very encouraging.

  52. Amanda

    #4 hit me like a brick wall! My future goal is to homeschool my toddler so this was great information. Thank you!

  53. Kbutterflys26

    Thank you for he inspiration!!!!! I enjoy your blog!

  54. Mistie

    Great post and great advice.

  55. Janet Martens

    Thank you. Have shared with my Homeschool support groups. Thank you for putting our focus right.

  56. Corrie D.

    Thank you so much for writing this! It was just what I needed to be reminded of and very encouraging to read!

  57. Catherine

    Thank you for this encouraging word. It can be so easy to forget to lean on God while homeschooling especially when planning school for the next year.

  58. Jessica Brammer

    Thank you for the great encouragement. It is hard not to get discouraged with homeschooling. I think I’ll come back and read it again later.

  59. Clarissa

    Thank you for this encouraging article. I have been so discouraged and disappointed, and this article has brought me back to the place I need to be. It’s so hard to move forward without motivation. Thanks again!

  60. Summer Taylor

    Great post! Thank you.

  61. Jennifer Chandler

    Thank you for sharing what God laid on your heart and speaking truth from His Word!

  62. Nicole Joyce

    This was really encouraging, thank you for sharing.

  63. Amy

    Good reminders especially as we’re headed into a lot of changes soon.

  64. Amber

    Do not grow weary in well doing, for in due season you will reap what you sow, if you do not give up… A wise reminder given to me by a wise woman. Thank you also for your encouraging article.

  65. Julie

    Thanks for the powerful reminder.

  66. Deborah

    Thank you for your encouraging words!

  67. Heidi H

    Great reminders and truth from scripture! Thanks for the encouragement!

  68. Danielle

    I SOOOO needed your wisdom this morning…God used you to send me a message and I praise Him and thank you for it!! <3

  69. Sarah B

    This was hard to read, but it was good. Thanks for being brave to step on some toes!

  70. Jayne Kellogg

    What a breath of fresh air! I was truly blessed by this today! Thanks so much for your love for Christ and for reaching out to other homeschool moms!

  71. Anne

    Thank you for this post. I have certainly felt discouraged in homeschooling at times, and recently seeing other moms quit homeschooling has been extra discouraging. Your post is a great reminder to stay focused on Christ and our goals in raising children to know Him.

  72. Nedra

    Thank you for the reminder!

  73. Rebecca N

    I have an almost 4 year old and am just starting this journey. Glad to know ahead of time the challenges I’ll face, and I pray I’ll to find the right community to help me through homeschooling him and his little brother.

  74. Maria

    Thank you so much for this!

    Blessings,
    Maria

  75. Megan

    Keep going dont give up.

  76. Nancy

    Great reminder to to stay anchored in Jesus.

  77. Rubyann A

    Great encouragement and reminders as I begin planning for next year’s homeschool!

  78. Beverly Boytim

    Thank you so much for this… it was really needed this week!

  79. Beth G

    There are some really hard days! We always have to remember not to be CONFORMED, but be TRANSFORMED. Appreciate these vital reminders to stay the course!

  80. Tania W

    This article is exactly what I needed. I am entering our 10th year of homeschooling and last year was pretty rough for me so I’ve been struggling spiritually. It has been robbing my joy and contentment and I’ve been trying to figure out how to snap out of it, but have been unsuccessful. This article showed me why I’ve been this way. It led to a chat and prayers to God about it. It has lifted my spirit. Thank you. It truly has blessed me.

  81. Debra Casto

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts and words of encouragement. I needed to hear it.

  82. Kayla Anderson

    Thank you for this. I was feeling really burnt this last school year and was considering sending my kids to school. That is the easy way and not the best one for my kids. Thank you.

  83. Laurel

    The part that got me was “You are NOT enough.” I actually just saw this on a friend’s shirt the other day – “You are enough.” And I know the sentiment – that we don’t have to clean ourself up to come to God. That we can never do enough or be enough to deserve or earn his love, but that we get it by grace. But I think the truth you stated, that we are NOT enough on our own, is SO important and overlooked in our time. The sentiment of “you are enough” is well meaning, and true in certain contexts, but over all, “You are not enough. Only GOD is enough, and through him, you are justified and sanctified to be enough too” is more accurate.

  84. Thomas Gibson

    Thank you for the awesome words of encouragement.

  85. Valerie

    Thank you for your wonderful words of encouragement. Your words hit home for. I have been sad, depressed, unhappy, and discontent with my life as a homeschooling mom. My days are tiring at times mundane and I barely get spend time with my husband. Every word you wrote describes me. Life is hard and I have fallen into the regret. Your post has caused me to ponder my feelings and wonder maybe my thoughts are wrong.

    1. Tauna Meyer

      Dear Valerie, thank you so much for commenting. Barely being able to spend time with your husband is a huge trial. I don’t want anybody to be led by my words to think that their experience isn’t hard or that their feelings are “wrong.” I believe that it is ok to struggle and even to grieve things that are trials. And sometimes depression is more than just discontent and there may be other things behind it. My encouragement is more to not *nurture* those feelings but instead to recognize them for what they are – feelings and not necessarily the truth of things. And to keep looking to Jesus in prayer and in our thoughts over and over. Having someone to talk to who has a godly perspective is also so helpful.

      Anyway, I still want to work through all the comments of these precious women, but yours struck me and I want to give you a hug along with my prayers – that God would give you wisdom, peace, and comfort, the ability to see things the way He does (that can be so hard to do when we’re in the midst of struggles), and eyes to see Him working in your life. ❤️

  86. Janelle

    Thank you so much for this very timely encouragement!

  87. Joey N

    Thank you for these words of encouragement! This year was hard for our homeschool and family. I was diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases, we had behavior challenges with our oldest, and general life stress that comes with raising kids with special needs and medical needs. I definitely was falling into this pitfall and needing a new perspective as we head into our next year of schooling at home! Thank you for the encouraging voice that this is hard, but this is worth it!

  88. Rebecca D

    Wonderful words of encouragement with my morning coffee!

  89. Mandy

    So spot on! Our school year starts in just a few weeks and I have already been fighting myself with whether or not we are making the right decision. I am trusting God!

  90. Heather Marroquin

    Thanks, I have been teaching for 6 years and I do feel overwhelmed every year at this time. I truly appreciate you taking the time to focus your readers on Christ and all the blessings and peace we have in him.

  91. tina

    what a great challenge for this homeschool mom of nine with 6 more left to graduate!!!

  92. Phoebe

    Thank you for this reminder. All of these feelings have been mine over the last year, and all of these truths I have been taught, but somewhere I lost my way. I appreciate what you do, and I needed this more than you know.

  93. Dawn

    Our family has been happy with public school for about 10 years, and just started experimenting with homeschool the last 2 years. I wouldn’t want to close the door on public school just yet. Though, I will only have 1 attending school this year, and 3 at home with me. Public school has shown our kids (& me) how God works in mighty ways … how He can change the heart of an enemy into a friend, He can mend broken relationships, help you recite a perfect Bible verse at just the right time, have courage in front of people who are mocking you, or about being okay with being different – set apart. My kid’s friends have introduced me to countless parents that God has afforded me the opportunity to get to know and pray with- and occasionally we see these families come to know the Lord! The O/T is full of stories to inspire kids to walk the halls of their school and to not be afraid, and for Moms or Dads to homeschool and to not be discouraged. No matter what path we choose to walk with our kids through in education, God sees us, He wants to comfort us and encourage us – and that’s the wonderful truth! I’ve come to rely on God to be with my kids, their teachers, bus drivers, and admin staff – and I hope I will seek the same reliance on Him when I wear those hats at home.

    1. Tauna Meyer

      Hi Dawn! I’m glad you have had a positive experience with public school. 🙂 As I mentioned in the post, the encouragement I shared really is more of a walk-with-Christ thing than a homeschool thing. However, I was specifically addressing the temptation to quit homeschooling (although it applies to whatever conviction or calling God has laid on our hearts) due to nurturing our discouragements or falling into the comparison trap. Sometimes we forget that just because something is hard, it doesn’t mean we’re on the wrong track.

      I strongly believe that homeschooling is the best educational option out there for my family for a variety of reasons. However, I hope it was clear that this post wasn’t a negative commentary on other reasons people choose to put their kids in public school. Just an encouragement to not allow ourselves to be derailed by fear, discouragement the enemy shoots at us, or the comparison trap!

  94. Trena

    Thank you!

  95. Stephanie

    Thank you so very much! I so frequently fall into the pit of not being good enough and wanting to throw in the towel. I know I am doing exactly what God wants me to do. T

  96. Claire Winson

    Thank you so much for this! As a single mom homeschooling has been HARD. For the last two years we’ve gone through a charter but this coming year we’re pulling back to focus on our love of reading, family time, and things that are important! Thank you for your encouragement!

  97. Rachel

    Thank you so much for these words of encouragement as we start another year of homeschooling!

  98. Sarah Raineri

    This was encouraging. Thank you

  99. Tasha Conner

    Very sound theological points. I always struggle seeing the growing reliance on “self-care” because the spirit behind it feels like it is in such contrast to the idea of needing to rely on God. I am not enough, and no amount of spending time on my desires will make me enough. Only He can.

  100. Bertha

    I have just moved back to the States after having lived abroad for 11 years…so starting up homeschool feels learning everything all over and feels overwhelming andquite daunting… thanks for your inceredibly encouraging words to weary mamas…

  101. Michelle

    Such a powerful message! #3 hit home for me. It can be very hard to just let go and surrender, but when you do, it is so freeing! Thank you for sharing this important message for homeschool mamas!

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