Single Mom Homeschooling | Resource Center
I picture her the same way you might: homeschooling momma driving a 15-passenger van, wearing handmade jean skirts, and grinding her own wheat to bake bread. Her husband arrives home from a long day at work and leads the family in Bible reading and prayer time as they finish up a home-cooked meal. Together, the whole family cleans the kitchen as they sing praise songs. Once the baby’s cloth diaper has been changed, momma plans school for the next day before she settles in with a good Bible study.
That was the “me” I wanted. But that is not the “me” you’ll find writing these words to you.
By the middle of my oldest daughter’s first grade year, the enemy attacked our home, and everything came crashing down. Within a few months, my husband left, and I was suddenly a single mom-a single homeschooling mom with a 1st grader, kindergartener, 2-year-old, and baby on the way. Without warning, all of the “perfect things” I had been doing were no longer going to work.
I had been trying hard to “make” our family fit this perfect mold. Now, I had no idea where to turn.
- How in the world would I homeschool as a single mom?
- How would I have time?
- Wouldn’t I need to work?
- Can I afford to homeschool?
- Even if those details worked out, wouldn’t others shun me?
- Would I be mocked and labeled as the black sheep?
- Would I be excluded?
The questions went on and on for weeks, months, and even years. Somewhere in there, I was forcing homeschooling into a box, one with a closed lid that said, “Keep Out: imperfect families and single moms.“
I was sure I wasn’t perfect enough to homeschool and that my circumstances were surely going to consume the opportunity. But, in that place of confusion, I just pressed on with what I already knew, and God leaned into my desperation. Over time, He gently taught me the truth.
As it turns out, “perfect” was such a crazy lie and so far from the reality of life. The perfect homeschooling family doesn’t exist. God showed me that I can still homeschool in my own broken world because we are all broken, even those who aren’t showing it on the outside.
Once I began to believe Him, He brought amazing families, friends, and resources alongside me to support me as a single mom. More than that, once I started to believe Him, our homeschool started to thrive.
Do you find yourself with a messy, broken life? Are you desperately seeking a way to homeschool despite your imperfect circumstances? Oh, friend, I wish that other circumstances had brought us together, but I have to tell you how glad I am you found your way here.
I pray that in these pages, you will find encouragement that is beyond what you can think or even imagine (Ephesians 3:20)! I am praying for you even in this moment, believing that God will meet you here.
Is Homeschooling as a Single Mom Too Big of a Sacrifice?
Homeschooling as a single mom is certainly a sacrifice. But if our eyes are fixed on Jesus, we can rest firmly in the protection and provision of our gracious God.
Yes, momma may not see a lot of quiet time and will rarely go to the bathroom without an audience. But in the end, this tiny sacrifice of our life’s agenda will enable our children to one day give up their lives for the ONE who gave it all up for us.