Parent Spotlight: Cheryl - A Homeschool and Parenting Survivor
Meet Cheryl, a homeschool and parenting survivor.
Having homeschooled her children for 23 years, Cheryl believes homeschooling must be taken seriously because it becomes your job. She states, “You have to be consistent and lean on those around you who are successfully doing it.”
I knew immediately that Cheryl was the perfect person to spotlight. First, we hit it off well. Then, I realized we had some things in common. Finally, the idea that she could learn from her parents’ parenting style made her an ideal candidate.
Cheryl shared how she loved archery in high school because it was fun and different.
“Education should be about the children and not the program because if children are excited about what they are doing, then they learn more.” When asked if we can lose kids if learning is not fun, Cheryl undoubtedly said “yes.”
I asked Cheryl a couple more questions, and the following were her responses.
Homeschooling Journey
Q: What drew you to homeschooling?
A: My son had issues in school, so I took him out and homeschooled him. His teacher was so strict, and he was scared to ask to go to the bathroom. He had a 97% average in first grade.
Parenting Difficulties
Q: What difficulties did you face as a parent?
A: I struggled with listening to my children. Unfortunately, I learned this too late.
The Joys of Parenting
Q: What are the joys of parenting?
A: One of the greatest joys of parenting is to see my children be fulfilled as adults. I have very accomplished children for their ages. They are contributing members of society and are well respected in their jobs.
Help With Parenting
Q: What helped you to parent?
A: I knew I wanted to parent differently than my parents.
My parents were very traditional. They worked, and everything was scheduled. There was no variation. Every day, everything was the same. There was no room for anything different. It was a regular, everyday parenting style for the time.
Change in Parenting Style
Q: What did you do differently than your parents?
A: I chose to stay home and not pursue a career. That is not popular today. I knew trying to balance a family and career would be overwhelming, and someone or something would suffer. I didn’t want that for my children.
Amy’s Uniqueness
Q: What makes you unique as a parent?
A: God’s leading is very important to me. He made each of us unique so I needed to realize every child is different and acquires knowledge differently. Be flexible, listen, and find a solution that fits that child. You will both be happier and less stressed. Don’t refuse outside help.
On Being a Grandmother
Q: Now that you are a grandmother, what’s that like?
A: You are no longer in the midst of the daily struggle, so you can observe from a distance. I pray more and try to provide a safe place to talk. I also do things with them that they enjoy.
Parenting Advice
1. Recognize when you mess up. An apology goes a long way.
2. You must listen to your child, even if you disagree. Listen quietly. Their feelings are their feelings, regardless.
3. We have to be the lifelong learners that we want our children to become.
4. Each child is different, so you have to tweak it for each one because they have a bent and are not all the same.
5. As a Christian, trust God. You have to trust God in his direction. There’s much prayer in parenting. He gave you this child; ask God to show you how to raise this child, and then you can relax more.
6. Accept guidance from others. I knew nothing about homeschooling but learned through a friend, the homeschool conference, and others. Even when we are prompted, we are equipped. You learn to tweak.
7. Become excited about the things your kids are excited about. Go places you wouldn’t have thought of going, like exploring gold mining.
Thank you for reading Cheryl’s Parent Spotlight. Cheryl shared some insightful things, like the importance of listening to your child, making learning enjoyable, and considering your child’s unique qualities. Most importantly, she communicated how critical it is to accept guidance from others. I was honored to meet Cheryl and am grateful for our time together.
Take care,
Elvira