By: Debra Bell
What's a retired homeschool mom to do?
After my youngest graduated from high school and moved on to college, I found that the thrill of being done quickly dissipated. Nobody had time to hang out with me; all my friends were still homeschooling. And my kids were now at college, making friends, traveling the world, and surprisingly capable of managing their own lives. I cleaned and de-cluttered my house – but that only took about six months. I started to get lonely. I flipped nostalgically through homeschool catalogs which still came in the mail. I organized my shelves and books for future grandchildren. I took field trips—alone—and engaged strangers in conversation. I pondered my significance in the universe.
The next year, I went back to teaching at our homeschool co-op. I realized it was the only way to keep in touch with my girlfriends and, more importantly, their kids. I wanted to teach; I wanted to help stage their plays; I wanted to talk about homeschooling (I couldn't believe I was saying this).
I also really started praying about what God would have me do next, since grandchildren didn't seem imminent. After spending so much time thinking about all the things I would finally do once my kids were raised, I was surprised to find that all I wanted was to continue mothering and teaching. Hmmmm— what was I to do with all that accumulating maternal instinct and well-intended nurturing?
Then my good friend Zan Tyler gave me a call, and along with her call came a purpose and a project! She was joining the new team Davis and Rachael Carman are building here at Apologia Educational Ministries, and she was inviting me along. I could write more books, update my first one, travel, speak, nurture, advise, and meddle with the best of intentions. I was needed once again.
So here I am, with all the enthusiasm and dedication I once devoted to homeschooling my own kids directed at your success. And I am doing so with a wonderful team of deeply committed fellow believers and homeschoolers. (I just have to tell you what a fantastic family Davis and Rachael Carman are raising – have their kids over to play with your kids as soon as possible!) The grace, the wisdom, the creative energy here at Apologia is very invigorating. And we all feel we are doing something special that God has orchestrated out of His kindness. I thank God for Dr. Jay and his small step of obedience and faith years ago when he chose to throw his lot in with this ragtag movement. Trust me—the homeschool community is going to turn out to be way ahead of the curve shortly; and we are going to have an unprecedented opportunity (a word about that in a moment).
First, let me tell you what I've been doing with all my boundless enthusiasm for homeschooling. I quit cleaning and organizing (cleanliness is overrated anyway) and started researching and writing once again. This time, since I wasn't also homeschooling, I had time to thoroughly investigate all the best resources, Web sites, online classes, curricula, and opportunities available within the homeschool community. I also asked several good friends deep in the trenches (i.e., moms with children still at home) to help with my research and to review my manuscript just to make sure what I advise is hip, cool, current, and relevant.
I just saw the initial proofs for the latest edition of The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling (2009), and I'm thrilled with the effort ApologiaPress is putting into the production. They are committed to excellence. I know you will find this edition easier to use and better aligned with your needs. It has truly been a collaborative effort. Zan Tyler is a top-notch editor and without peer in terms of her own depth of knowledge and experience within the homeschool community. So, I hope you will consider ordering the book, along with a copy or two for friends just getting started or open to joining us in this great adventure. I also wrote The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling (lovingly abbreviated as TUGHS) with support groups in mind – TUGHS has always done well as a great tool to hand to those who call and say, "Tell me everything I need to know to homeschool my kids." We've definitely kept that need front and center as we've worked through the manuscript yet again. (This is the fourth edition!)
National Center for Educational Statistics just issued its latest survey; and homeschooling in the U.S. is up an eye-popping 36% since 2003. Has anyone asked you about homeschooling lately? I bet they have or soon will. With the latest edition of TUGHS on your shelf, you will have a complete and current guide to hand them.
And coming out of the chute right behind The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling (2009) is at long last The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling Teens: Including Everything You Need to Know about College Admissions. I've been chipping away at this massive project for several years, and in joining Apologia, I've finally found those who understand that this is where the greatest need is for current homeschoolers. The teen years are where we really reap the greatest rewards from homeschooling. If we want folks to be able to continue over the long haul (and I do!), we need to give them the tools and necessary support. My latest book, I trust, is part of that support; it will give you sustaining faith for the process and answers to your questions. It will show you the ins and outs of the post-high-school decision-making process, and it is full of advice and stories from homeschool graduates themselves. Look for both these titles on Apologia's tables at your next homeschool convention.
Both books will be supported by online resources at Apologia's Web site and my blog: debrabell.blogspot.com. Let's talk there.
Hey! Let me help you grow your homeschool – I need to be needed.
For His Glory and Our Good,
Debra
http://www.apologia.com