“Coaching” Your Way to Homeschooling Success!
Coaching is a term that is usually applied to athletic endeavors. While I will never be accused of being an athlete, I have been involved in that arena over the years vicariously through my children. It’s given me many opportunities to watch and learn some lessons (of course!) that I’ve applied to homeschooling as well.
Think about your own homeschooling journey. Actually, think about any skill you have today. What was involved in your learning process? Although perhaps being motivated by an inherent interest, need or desire, there’s a good chance someone you admired or felt was successful taught, mentored, or coached you to proficiency!
When I first began homeschooling, I sought out seasoned professionals. Some I consulted primarily for their experience and guidance; some became good friends. In all of them, I found an encouraging voice and a willingness to keep me going through the rough spots. Of course, my husband has always been my biggest cheerleader, but these other folks had the additional tools to help when I didn’t have a clue!
For a variety of reasons, not everyone who has experience is willing or able to offer help or lend a hand. If you’re struggling with “keeping on” in homeschooling, look for someone:
- who is willing to establish a relationship with you,
- who is willing to “shoot straight” with you and tell you the truth,
- who is already familiar with, or knows where to get information on, various homeschool approaches,
- who shares the same or similar ethics or morals as you.
A coach has “been there and done that” and is able and willing to pass on lessons learned so YOU don’t have to make the same mistakes!
So how and where can you find one? My first and biggest piece of advice is to take your time and don’t jump into any commitment. Finding a local support group will undoubtedly provide you with lots of potential candidates. Spend an initial amount of time with the person to see if the chemistry is right: there’s no value to be had in spending time and learning from someone whose approach or ethics you don’t agree with! Do your homework online as well, and look into the plethora of resources – websites, blogs, and articles – that can give you good advice on pre-planning and launching your own homeschool.
A good coach can provide you with a plan and help guide you to selecting a good program. A coach as a friend can also encourage you to be persistent in your endeavors, a necessary trait to develop to homeschooling for the long haul. And lastly, experienced coaches can help you find and use tools you can use, and ways you can use the talents you already have to help create and build the unique learning environment that’s best for you and your children.
Homeschooling is of course first and foremost a family journey. But don’t ignore the help and encouragement that can be yours by finding a good and experienced coach!
Pat Fenner offers encouragement to homeschoolers at Help-4-Your-Homeschool.com. For monthly doses of encouragement, inspiration and ideas, sign up for her free newsletter “Sparks for the Flame”.
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